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.
Building a house is largely a linear process—one stage can’t occur until another has been completed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Aamir acknowledges that Jordan's battle with his eating disorder is not a linear journey, but their close working relationship has reached the stage where he now considers him family.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
Instead of examining DNA only as a linear genetic sequence, the UEA researchers used Oxford BioDynamics' EpiSwitch® Orion platform to study the genome's three-dimensional organization.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026
A humanoid’s knees rely on linear actuators, which are made up of similar components but translate rotation into a linear movement: pulling, lifting and so on.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
There were linear streaks of clean floor for the furrows, and linear streaks of dust, the hillocks.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
