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
- linearity noun
- linearly adverb
- nonlinear adjective
- sublinear adjective
Etymology
Origin of linear
First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin līneāris “of, belonging to lines”; line 1, -ar 1
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.
Sports have become a key driver for streaming subscriptions and linear TV viewership.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
Whereas Bale's career was almost a linear surge towards the very top, Wilson's journey has been a slow slalom to his current status as one of the most in-form players this Premier League season.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
“They watch it on linear and they watch it on Paramount+, where it’s consistently been a top streaming performer.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026
Traditional tools, including wave plates and linear polarizers, can detect polarization but are fixed in their capabilities and limited in range.
From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026
A linear equation like 4x – 12 = 0 is extremely simple to solve, and such problems didn’t entertain algebraists for very long.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
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.
