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linear

/ˈlɪniər/
/ˈlɪniə/
IPA guide

Something linear is like a line. The adjective usually refers to something that follows an expected order or sequence — like railroad tracks or even the progression of a disease.

Drawn from the word line, something linear follows that concept, coming from the Latin līneāris, "belonging to a line." You might come across the word in mathematics, as in a "linear equation," or in electronics, with a "linear circuit." It also can be used to refer to a written work that follows a "linear narrative." If a movie has lots of flashbacks and happens out of order, it does not have a linear narrative. You might find such a movie puzzling but enjoyable, or you might prefer something more chronological and linear.

Definitions of linear
  1. adjective
    of or in or along or relating to a line; involving a single dimension
    “a linear measurement”
    synonyms: one-dimensional
    collinear
    lying on the same line
    lineal
    arranged in a line
    linelike
    resembling a line
    rectilineal, rectilinear
    characterized by a straight line or lines
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    cubic
    having three dimensions
    planar
    involving two dimensions
    blockish, blocky
    resembling a block in shape
    box-shaped, boxlike, boxy
    resembling a box in rectangularity
    brick-shaped
    shaped like a brick
    isometric
    of a crystal system characterized by three equal axes at right angles
    solid
    having three dimensions
    coplanar
    lying in the same plane
    flat
    having a relatively broad surface in relation to depth or thickness
    placoid, platelike
    as the hard flattened scales of e.g. sharks
    flattened, planate
    having been flattened
    tabular
    flat; like a table in form
  2. adjective
    measured lengthwise
    synonyms: running
    lengthways, lengthwise
    running or extending in the direction of the length of a thing
  3. adjective
    (of a leaf shape) long and narrow
    synonyms: elongate
    simple, unsubdivided
    (botany) of leaf shapes; of leaves having no divisions or subdivisions
  4. adjective
    progressing from one stage or idea to the next in sequential order
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    nonlinear
    not arranged or expressed in a sequential or straightforward way
  5. adjective
    designating or involving an equation whose terms are of the first degree
    synonyms: additive
    bilinear
    linear with respect to each of two variables or positions
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    nonlinear
    designating or involving an equation whose terms are not of the first degree
  6. adjective
    of a circuit or device having an output that is proportional to the input
    linear amplifier”
    synonyms: analog, analogue
Pronunciation
US
/ˈlɪniər/
UK
/ˈlɪniə/
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