Exponential

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˌɛk.spəˈnɛn.t͡ʃəl/

Definitions

1. A mathematical function in which a constant base is raised to a variable power, or anything increasing at an ever-accelerating rate where growth itself accelerates
2. Relating to a mathematical expression where a fixed number is raised to varying powers, or describing rapid acceleration where the pace of growth itself speeds up
3. Pertaining to a function characterized by a fixed base raised to a variable exponent ; describing growth that increases faster as it progresses

Etymology: The adjective "exponential" is built from "exponent" plus the suffix "-ial", which turns a noun into an adjective meaning "of or relating to" the noun. An exponent in the mathematical sense is the small raised number showing how many times a quantity multiplies itself, so something exponential grows by repeatedly multiplying rather than by adding a fixed amount each time. The suffix itself has a long pedigree: it descends from Latin "-alis", which passed through Old French "-ial" into Middle English, and it is the same ending found in words like "industrial" and "commercial." The noun "exponent" comes from Latin "exponere", meaning "to set forth" or "to expound," and in English it originally carried the sense of someone who explains or interprets something. Its mathematical sense, the raised figure showing repeated multiplication, is the one that gave rise to the adjective, so the word's modern meaning of rapid, accelerating growth rests on a number written above the line rather than on anything about explaining.

Synonyms: rapid, accelerated, explosive, geometric, increasing

Antonyms: linear, gradual, decreasing, diminishing, static