exponential

adjective

ex·​po·​nen·​tial ˌek-spə-ˈnen(t)-shəl How to pronounce exponential (audio)
1
: of or relating to an exponent
2
: involving a variable in an exponent
10x is an exponential expression
3
: expressible or approximately expressible by an exponential function
especially : characterized by or being an extremely rapid increase (as in size or extent)
an exponential growth rate
exponentially
ˌek-spə-ˈnen(t)-sh(ə-)lē How to pronounce exponential (audio)
adverb

Examples of exponential in a Sentence

The business has experienced several years of exponential growth. Prices have increased at an exponential rate. 103 is an exponential expression.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The exponential growth of the global AI industry is adding fresh urgency to such challenges. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 Businesses are oriented around customer retention, and a 5% increase in customer retention can have exponential values in terms of long-tail capital. — Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026 Those figures do not include the exponential advantage that Becerra had in independent expenditure committees’ spending over Hilton in the primary. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Thus, qubits offer an exponential approach to crunching large amounts of data, which could help tackle problems that even the fastest supercomputers of today will take decades to solve. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exponential

Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exponential was in 1701

Phrases Containing exponential

Rhymes for exponential

See All Rhymes for exponential

Browse Nearby Words

exponent
exponential
exponential curve
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exponential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exponential. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

exponential

adjective
ex·​po·​nen·​tial ˌek-spə-ˈnen-chəl How to pronounce exponential (audio)
: of, relating to, or involving an exponent
xⁿ is an exponential expression
exponentially
-ˈnench-(ə-)lē How to pronounce exponential (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

exponential

adjective
ex·​po·​nen·​tial ˌek-spə-ˈnen-chəl How to pronounce exponential (audio)
: expressible or approximately expressible by an exponential function
an exponential growth rate
exponentially
-ˈnench-(ə-)lē How to pronounce exponential (audio)
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All