View synonyms for exponential

exponential

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

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of or relating to an exponent or exponents.
Mathematics.
1. of or relating to the constant e.
2. (of an equation) having one or more unknown variables in one or more exponents.
rising or expanding at a steady, rapid rate.
a city experiencing exponential growth.

noun

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

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
exp. maths raised to the power of e, the base of natural logarithms
of or involving an exponent or exponents
informal, very rapid

noun

maths an exponential function, etc

exponential

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

Discover More

Other Word Forms

exponentially adverb
nonexponential adjective

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of exponential¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; exponent + -ial

Discover More

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.

OpenAI is set to generate $13 billion in revenue this year, meaning that it will have to continue growing sales at an exponential rate to pay for its computing needs.