linearly
gb/lˈɪniɚli/ us/lˈɪniɚli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
technical
C1
relation
1
in direct proportion; constant rate
If something changes linearly, it changes at the same steady rate.
Usage pattern:
[something] increases/decreases/grows linearly (with [something])
Common mistake:
Often confused with "literally" because the words look and sound similar.
Synonyms
proportionally (Close in meaning, but "linearly" emphasizes a constant rate (a straight-line relationship).)
|
at a constant rate (Plain-language paraphrase rather than a technical synonym.)
Antonyms
exponentially (Changes by multiplying (curving upward/downward) rather than at a constant rate.)
|
nonlinearly (Changes in a way that does not follow a straight-line relationship.)
Collocations
increase linearly
|decrease linearly
|grow linearly
|vary linearly
|scale linearly
|change linearly
|linearly related
|linearly proportional
|linearly with
|linear relationship
Themes
math
|science
|data
|technology
Examples
- As the temperature rose, the pressure increased linearly.
- The model assumes demand grows linearly with population.
- In this range, the sensor output changes linearly with force.
Learner examples
- The price increased linearly each month.
- In this test, time rises linearly with distance.
adverb
C1
process
2
in a straight, unbroken sequence
If something happens linearly, it happens step by step in one order.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] proceeds/works/moves linearly (from [start] to [end])
Common mistake:
Learners may use "linearly" where "directly" is meant; "linearly" is about sequence or straight-line relationships, not general directness.
Synonyms
sequentially (Emphasizes one-after-another order; less suggestive of a "straight line" metaphor.)
|
in order (More general and less formal than "linearly.")
Antonyms
nonsequentially (Not following a single order.)
|
nonlinearly (Not proceeding in one continuous path; may jump or branch.)
Collocations
progress linearly
|move linearly
|develop linearly
|proceed linearly
|work through linearly
|read linearly
|told linearly
|structured linearly
|linearly from start to finish
|linear narrative
Themes
communication
|storytelling
|technology
|daily_life
Examples
- The course is designed so you move linearly through the lessons.
- Unlike the book, the film doesn’t tell the story linearly.
- Please follow the steps linearly instead of skipping ahead.
Learner examples
- We learned the steps linearly, one by one.
- The story is told linearly.
adverb
technical
C1
property
3
in a straight line; one-dimensional
If things are placed linearly, they are placed in one straight line.
Usage pattern:
[things] are arranged/aligned linearly (along [something])
Synonyms
in a straight line (Everyday paraphrase; less formal.)
|
in a row (Suggests a line of items, often people or objects; less geometric/technical.)
Antonyms
circularly (Arranged around a circle rather than along a line.)
|
radially (Arranged outward from a center point rather than in one line.)
Collocations
arranged linearly
|aligned linearly
|laid out linearly
|organized linearly
|linearly arranged elements
|linearly aligned points
|linearly spaced
|extend linearly
|positioned linearly
|distributed linearly
Themes
space
|design
|technology
Examples
- The lights are mounted linearly along the ceiling.
- The points are distributed linearly across the graph.
- The interface places the tools linearly down the left side.
Learner examples
- The chairs were placed linearly along the wall.
Grammar
Dictionary form
linearly
IPA
GB/lˈɪniɚli/
US/lˈɪniɚli/
Syllables & stress
lin - early (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (lin)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: linearly
- Plural: linearlies
Word family
Expressions
increase linearly
1/ˈɪŋkɹis lˈɪniɚli/
fixed phrase
technical
rise at a constant rate
To go up by the same amount each step.
Examples
- If you add the same amount each week, the total will increase linearly.
- Costs increase linearly as the number of users grows.
- On this chart, the line shows sales increasing linearly.
linearly proportional to
1/lˈɪniɚli pɹəpˈɔɹʃənəl tə/
fixed phrase
technical
directly proportional; straight-line relation
If A is linearly proportional to B, A goes up in a straight-line way when B goes up.
Examples
- For small angles, the displacement is linearly proportional to the force.
- In this regime, the response is linearly proportional to the input signal.
- The output voltage is linearly proportional to the rotation speed.
scale linearly
1/skˈeɪl lˈɪniɚli/
fixed phrase
technical
grow proportionally as size grows
To grow smoothly and proportionally when you add more work or resources.
Examples
- The system doesn’t scale linearly once you reach a million users.
- Ideally, performance would scale linearly with the number of cores.
- We need costs to scale linearly with usage.
vary linearly with
1/vˈɛɹi lˈɪniɚli wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
technical
change in direct proportion
If A varies linearly with B, A changes at a steady rate as B changes.
Examples
- In this experiment, resistance varies linearly with temperature.
- The error varies linearly with distance from the center.
- Assume the output varies linearly with the input.