exponentially

American  

[ek-spoh-nen-shuh-lee, ‐spuh‐] / ˌɛk spoʊˈnɛn ʃə li, ‐spə‐ /

adverb

1. at a steady, rapid rate.

   The cost of a college education has increased exponentially over the last 30 years.

2. Mathematics. at a continuous rate of growth or decay that can be calculated using the constant e, according to the rules of raising e to the power of a positive or negative exponent.

   Any population growing exponentially must, sooner or later, encounter shortages of resources.

   The measurable rate at which a radioactive nuclide’s atoms decay exponentially is the basis of radiometric dating.

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Other Word Forms

• nonexponentially
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of exponentially

exponential ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

Use exponentially when you want to say that something's increasing quickly by large amounts. Your friends and colleagues will be pleased to hear that your vocabulary is growing exponentially. The root of exponentially is the French verb exponere, meaning “to put out.” Think of a factory that puts out so many products its creations seem to increase exponentially. The mathematical origin of this word has to do with multiplying a number by itself so think also of rabbits, who are known for multiplying exponentially. Now imagine if rabbits worked in a factory... (No animals were harmed during this explanation).

Example Sentences

Recreating a quantum computer on a traditional supercomputer is extremely demanding because the complexity grows exponentially with every added qubit.

From Science Daily • May 11, 2026

The prevailing theory is that the first to achieve AGI will secure a prize that multiplies itself: a self-training, recursively improving intelligence, growing exponentially and leaving all competitors in its wake.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

Then came SpaceX’s AI pivot, pushing its valuation exponentially higher.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

The last few have also been among the oldest Congresses in U.S. history, with the number of lawmakers in their 70s and 80s rising exponentially over the past couple of decades.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026

The way the show worked was that contestants would choose a category, such as movies, opera, baseball, etc., and answer questions that would become exponentially more difficult and ultimately more valuable.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady