asymptotic
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to an asymptote.
-
(of a function) approaching a given value as an expression containing a variable tends to infinity.
-
(of two functions) so defined that their ratio approaches unity as the independent variable approaches a limit or infinity.
-
(of a formula) becoming increasingly exact as a variable approaches a limit, usually infinity.
-
coming into consideration as a variable approaches a limit, usually infinity.
asymptotic property; asymptotic behavior.
adjective
-
of or referring to an asymptote
-
(of a function, series, formula, etc) approaching a given value or condition, as a variable or an expression containing a variable approaches a limit, usually infinity
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of asymptotic
First recorded in 1665–75; asymptot(e) + -ic
Vocabulary lists containing asymptotic
AB Calculus
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Calculus, List 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
BC Calculus
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
DeepSeek R1’s success challenged the idea that AI development would require asymptotic demand for hardware and outsize profits for Nvidia — shaking the very foundation that the U.S. bull market had been built upon.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 24, 2026
The study, "An empirical view of the extended atmosphere and inner envelope of the asymptotic giant branch star R Doradus II. Constraining the dust properties with radiative transfer modelling," is published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 12, 2026
Shares grow like asymptotic curves—going up and up, seemingly toward infinity!
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 28, 2025
The scientific method is an asymptotic process aimed at determining natural truths.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2025
However, there is another property of the strong nuclear force, called asymptotic freedom, that makes the concept of quarks and gluons well defined.
From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
