exponential

adjective

ex·​po·​nen·​tial ˌek-spə-ˈnen(t)-shəl 

1

: of or relating to an exponent

2

: involving a variable in an exponent

10^x is an exponential expression

3

: expressible or approximately expressible by an exponential function

especially : characterized by or being an extremely rapid increase (as in size or extent)

an exponential growth rate

exponentially

ˌek-spə-ˈnen(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of exponential in a Sentence

The business has experienced several years of exponential growth.

Prices have increased at an exponential rate.

10³ is an exponential expression.

Recent Examples on the Web

Search will become even more important in 2025, especially with the exponential growth in medical data and the continuous need and demand for interoperability. —Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, M.d., J.d., Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

This kind of exponential scaling — where the error rate drops by the same factor with each step up in code distance — is precisely what the theory predicts. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024

Uruguay’s Impressive Growth In the quarter-century that Alvarez has been making films, Uruguay’s screen industry has seen exponential growth. —Jamie Lang, Variety, 7 Dec. 2024

The original Kingdom Come Deliverance was a showpiece of video game graphics during its time, and its sequel is upping the ante by an exponential factor. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing exponential

• exponential function

Kids Definition

exponential

adjective

ex·​po·​nen·​tial ˌek-spə-ˈnen-chəl 

: of, relating to, or involving an exponent

xⁿ is an exponential expression

exponentially

-ˈnench-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

exponential

adjective

ex·​po·​nen·​tial ˌek-spə-ˈnen-chəl 

: expressible or approximately expressible by an exponential function

an exponential growth rate

exponentially

-ˈnench-(ə-)lē 

adverb