exponential

[ek-spoh-nen-shuhl, -spuh-]

adjective

1. of or relating to an exponent or exponents.

2. Mathematics.

   1. of or relating to the constant e.

   2. (of an equation) having one or more unknown variables in one or more exponents.

3. rising or expanding at a steady, rapid rate.

   a city experiencing exponential growth.

noun

1. Mathematics.

   1. the constant e raised to the power equal to a given expression, as e 3 x, which is the exponential of 3 x.

   2. any positive constant raised to a power.

exponential

/ ˌɛkspəʊˈnɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. maths (of a function, curve, series, or equation) of, containing, or involving one or more numbers or quantities raised to an exponent, esp e x

2. exp. maths raised to the power of e, the base of natural logarithms

3. of or involving an exponent or exponents

4. informal,  very rapid

noun

1. maths an exponential function, etc

exponential

1. Relating to a mathematical expression containing one or more exponents.

2. ◆ Something is said to increase or decrease exponentially if its rate of change must be expressed using exponents. A graph of such a rate would appear not as a straight line, but as a curve that continually becomes steeper or shallower.

Other Word Forms

• exponentially adverb
• nonexponential adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exponential¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; exponent + -ial

Example Sentences

He says the rate of growth between 12 and 18 is "exponential", so the body needs a full and nutritious diet to fuel it.

From BBC

She predicts an exponential rise in deaths "unless we start to help people get clean and sober again."

From BBC

And states like Sinaloa that have been at the epicenter of the drug trade have seen an exponential rise in killings.

From Los Angeles Times

There has been an "exponential" increase in marine mammal strandings in waters around Scotland, scientists have found.

From BBC

The source added that the raid has shaken a company that has always tried to operate by the book and that, despite its exponential growth in recent years, has sought to maintain a close-knit feel.

From Los Angeles Times