Meaning & use
nonlinear
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Meanings
adjectivenot comparablemathematics
Not following a straight line, or not changing in a steady proportion to something else.
Grammar: Usually before a noun: a nonlinear relationship.
The graph shows a nonlinear relationship between speed and fuel use.
Weather behaves in a nonlinear way.
A nonlinear equation can have several solutions.
adjectivenot comparable
Not told or arranged in a simple order from beginning to end.
Grammar: Describes stories, games and ways of learning.
The film uses a nonlinear story.
The game has a nonlinear structure, so you can explore freely.
She prefers nonlinear note-taking.
Common combinations
- nonlinear relationship
- There is a nonlinear relationship between age and risk.
- nonlinear equation
- They solved a nonlinear equation.
- nonlinear narrative
- The novel has a nonlinear narrative.
- nonlinear growth
- The population showed nonlinear growth.
- nonlinear dynamics
- She studies nonlinear dynamics.
Synonyms and how they differ
- curved
- Curved describes a physical shape, but nonlinear is a broader and more technical word.
- disordered
- Disordered means lacking order, while nonlinear can still be well planned.
- disjointed
- Disjointed is critical and suggests a story is hard to follow, whereas nonlinear is neutral.
Opposites
Word family
Practice
A story told with flashbacks and jumps in time, rather than in order, is described as ____.
Choose one answer.
Nonlinear means not following a straight order. A linear story is told in order, a parallel one runs side by side, and a static one doesn't change.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “nonlinear”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.