learning curve

American  

noun

1. Education. a graphic representation of progress in learning measured against the time required to achieve mastery.

2. the process of learning upon which such a representation is based.

   Her new job has a steep learning curve.

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learning curve British  

noun

1. a graphical representation of progress in learning

   I'm still only half way up the learning curve

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Example Sentences

Mendoza aims to eliminate the steep learning curve for rookie quarterbacks by preparing before officially joining the team.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Going out and playing for three points was a real learning curve for me and it definitely helped me.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Kavanagh had never set foot in the state and part of his steep California learning curve was devouring as many newspapers — back when they abounded — as he could.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

In every way, it seems too early in the engineering and learning curve to risk humans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

It was the beginning of my learning curve on Haiti.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French