linear

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈlɪni.əɹ/ UK /ˈlɪni.ə/ See IPA manual

Freq #18809

Meanings

1

adj
Following a straight line or a single direction.

The new highway runs in a linear path across the plain.
2

adj
Arranged or happening in a clear step-by-step order.

The novel rejects a linear timeline and jumps between decades.
3

adj
Relating to length measured in one dimension only.

We ordered three linear meters of fabric for the curtains.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · following a straight line... one-dimensional

More linelike

Opposites

nonlinear

Word family

Derived forms antilinearbasolinearbilinearcircumlinearcolinearcollinearcrosslinearcurvilinearhyperlinearinterlinealinterlinearisolinear

Appears in

Phrases (2)

See all

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin līneāris, from līnea (“line”) + -āris (adjectival suffix), equivalent to line + -ar. Doublet of lineal.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# linear

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈlɪni.əɹ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈlɪni.ə/
**Frequency rank:** 18809

## Meanings
1. Following a straight line or a single direction.
2. Arranged or happening in a clear step-by-step order.
3. Relating to length measured in one dimension only.

## Examples
- The new highway runs in a linear path across the plain.
- The novel rejects a linear timeline and jumps between decades.
- We ordered three linear meters of fabric for the curtains.

## Synonyms
- linelike

## Antonyms
- nonlinear

## Derived Forms
- antilinear
- basolinear
- bilinear
- circumlinear
- colinear
- collinear
- crosslinear
- curvilinear
- hyperlinear
- interlineal
- interlinear
- isolinear

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin līneāris, from līnea (“line”) + -āris (adjectival suffix), equivalent to line + -ar. Doublet of lineal.

## AI Etymology
Linear is borrowed from Latin līneāris, from līnea (“line”) + -āris (adjectival suffix), equivalent to line + -ar. Doublet of lineal. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern adjectival form is built from the named base and affix. In present-day use, it can mean following a straight line or a single direction, or arranged or happening in a clear step-by-step order. Derived formations include antilinear, basolinear, bilinear, circumlinear, colinear.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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