linear
Americanadjective
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of, consisting of, or using lines.
linear design.
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pertaining to or represented by lines.
linear dimensions.
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extended or arranged in a line.
a linear series.
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involving measurement in one dimension only; pertaining to length.
linear measure.
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of or relating to the characteristics of a work of art in which forms and rhythms are defined chiefly in terms of line.
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having the form of or resembling a line.
linear nebulae.
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progressing logically from step to step; having a regular sequence of stages.
Such linear thinking can inhibit true innovation and creative exploration.
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Mathematics.
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consisting of, involving, or describable by terms of the first degree.
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having the same effect on a sum as on each of the summands.
a linear operation.
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Electronics. delivering an output that is directly proportional to the input.
a linear circuit; a linear amplifier.
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threadlike; narrow and elongated.
a linear leaf.
adjective
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of, in, along, or relating to a line
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of or relating to length
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resembling, represented by, or consisting of a line or lines
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having one dimension
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designating a style in the arts, esp painting, that obtains its effects through line rather than colour or light and in which the edges of forms and planes are sharply defined Compare painterly
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maths of or relating to the first degree
a linear equation
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narrow and having parallel edges
a linear leaf
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electronics
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(of a circuit, etc) having an output that is directly proportional to input
linear amplifier
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having components arranged in a line
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of linear
First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin līneāris “of, belonging to lines”; see line 1, -ar 1
Explanation
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.
Vocabulary lists containing linear
Expressions and Equations
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Algebra
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STAAR English I: Elements of Literature
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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.
"It's not a linear progression," said CEO Robert Isom.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
In an X post, NYU professor and AI researcher Ravid Shwartz-Ziv pointed to Kimi’s hybrid linear attention software, which allows the model to process large quantities of data with less memory consumption.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
The delusion of linear progress in history ran deep.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
Increasingly, individuals – particularly earlier in their careers, she says - want to build a breadth of experience faster, rather than follow a single, linear path.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
The most to hope for was an appreciation of the linear way in which money was measured.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
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.
