adjective
exponential
ehk-spuh-NEHN-chuhl
adjective
1
Growing (or shrinking) at a rate that keeps multiplying, so change speeds up dramatically over time.
"The app saw exponential growth once it went viral."
"Bacteria can multiply at an exponential rate under the right conditions."
2
Expressed using an exponent, or power, of a number.
"The equation uses exponential notation to represent very large numbers."
How to Use Exponential
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIncreasing (or decreasing) faster and faster, rather than at a steady pace.
Common mistake
People often use "exponential" loosely to just mean "very fast" or "huge" — in maths it specifically means growth that compounds on itself.
Common pairings
exponential growth
exponential increase
exponential decay
Word Forms
exponentials plural
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Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The app saw _____ growth once it went viral.