Word
exponential
Phoneticsex·po·nen·tial, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɛkspoʊˈnɛnʃəɫ/
UK/ˌɛkspənˈɛnʃəl/
Definition
adj. describing a rate of change that becomes faster and faster over time. You use it when a small increase quickly turns into a very large one.
adj. relating to an increase that becomes more rapid in proportion to the growing total number or size. Often describes growth patterns in mathematics, biology, or finance.
Examples
“The company saw exponential growth in its first year.”
“The virus spread at an exponential rate because each infected person passed it to several others.”
“While linear progress is easy to predict, exponential shifts in technology often catch society off guard because the most dramatic changes occur in the final stages of the cycle.”
Examples
simple
“The company saw exponential growth in its first year.”
contextual
“The virus spread at an exponential rate because each infected person passed it to several others.”
complex
“While linear progress is easy to predict, exponential shifts in technology often catch society off guard because the most dramatic changes occur in the final stages of the cycle.”
Usage
Commonly modifies nouns like 'growth', 'increase', or 'rise'.
Pitfall
an exponential of growth
exponential growth
In general English, the word is almost always used as an adjective to modify a noun, not as a noun itself.
Real-World Examples
“Rojas said the influx had led to an exponential increase in sexual assault, and many victims did not file a report, either out of fear of because of their "current situation in Ceuta".” “The Golden Triangle – the remote, jungle-covered border region where Thailand, Myanmar, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic meet – has seen an exponential surge in the illicit manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs.” Etymology
From exponent + -ial.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/exponential