nonlinear
Not directly proportional
In math or science, not changing in a simple straight-line way.
nonlinear [relationship/equation/model/system]
- The model is nonlinear, so doubling the input does not double the output.
- The data show a nonlinear relationship between income and life satisfaction.
- Engineers used special software to solve the nonlinear equations.
- The graph is nonlinear, so it is not a straight line.
- This is a nonlinear problem in mathematics.
Not in time order
Not arranged from beginning to end in the usual order.
nonlinear [story/narrative/timeline/structure/order]
- The film has a nonlinear structure, jumping between childhood and adulthood.
- The app lets users explore the lessons in a nonlinear order.
- The novel’s nonlinear timeline can be confusing at first.
- The story is nonlinear.
- It does not happen in time order.
Not steady or direct
Having ups and downs or changes in direction instead of moving steadily forward.
nonlinear [process/progress/path/growth/recovery]
- Language learning is nonlinear; you may improve quickly, plateau, and then improve again.
- Recovery from burnout is often nonlinear, with better weeks and harder weeks.
- The company’s growth was nonlinear, driven by sudden jumps in demand.
- Healing can be nonlinear.
- Progress is not always a straight line.
- Base: nonlinear
- Comparative: nonlinearer
- Superlative: nonlinearest
nonlinear career path
1Career without a straight ladder
A career that changes direction instead of moving up one simple job ladder.
- She followed a nonlinear career path, moving from nursing to software design and then into management.
- Employers are increasingly open to candidates with nonlinear career paths.
nonlinear equation
1Equation not mathematically linear
An equation that cannot be treated as a simple straight-line equation.
- The physics problem leads to a nonlinear equation that must be solved numerically.
- Students first learn linear equations and then move on to nonlinear equations.
nonlinear model
1Model using nonlinear relationships
A model for patterns that do not follow a simple straight line.
- A nonlinear model fit the sales data better than a simple straight-line trend.
- The researchers built a nonlinear model to describe how the drug affects the body.
nonlinear narrative
1Story out of time order
A story that does not tell events from first to last in time order.
- The movie uses a nonlinear narrative, so the ending is shown near the beginning.
- Her novel’s nonlinear narrative moves between three different decades.
nonlinear regression
1Statistical nonlinear model fitting
A statistics method for fitting data when a straight-line model is not suitable.
- The team used nonlinear regression to estimate the reaction rate.
- Nonlinear regression can model curves that ordinary linear regression cannot capture.
nonlinear relationship
1Not a proportional relationship
A connection where one thing does not change in a simple, constant way with another.
- Researchers found a nonlinear relationship between stress and performance.
- The nonlinear relationship means a small price cut can sometimes produce a large increase in sales.
nonlinear system
1System with nonproportional responses
A system where small changes can sometimes have unexpectedly large or complex effects.
- Weather is a nonlinear system, which is one reason long-term forecasts are difficult.
- In a nonlinear system, a tiny change in starting conditions can lead to a very different outcome.
nonlinear thinking
1Thinking in multiple paths
Thinking that moves between ideas freely instead of following one straight path.
- Brainstorming sessions can encourage nonlinear thinking and unexpected solutions.
- Her nonlinear thinking helped the team connect problems from different departments.