# exponential

/ˌɛkspoʊˈnɛnʃəɫ/ (US) · /ˌɛkspənˈɛnʃəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exponential
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "an exponential of growth" but "exponential growth" — In general English, the word is almost always used as an adjective to modify a noun, not as a noun itself.

## Usage notes

- Commonly modifies nouns like 'growth', 'increase', or 'rise'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.