linearly

Think of building with LEGO bricks: if you add one brick at a time in a neat row, something is increasing linearly. It means something grows, changes, or moves at a steady rate, not in sudden jumps or sharp curves. It is about a clear, predictable path. You might say your income increases linearly if it goes up by the same amount each month. A story can also unfold linearly when events happen one after another in time. The word is often used in math and science for patterns that follow a straight-line change.

The word "linearly" describes something that happens or progresses in a straight line, either literally or figuratively. It implies a consistent rate of change—for every step forward, there's an equal response.

In mathematics, linear functions and equations are shown as straight lines on a graph. A linear relationship means that one variable changes at a constant rate as another variable changes. For example, if you earn $20 per hour, your earnings increase linearly with the number of hours worked.

But "linearly" isn't limited to numbers! It can also describe how things unfold over time. A narrative that presents events in chronological order is said to be told linearly. A process that moves step-by-step, one after another, also progresses linearly. Think of a recipe—you follow the instructions linearly from start to finish.

Sometimes, "linearly" contrasts with more complex or non-proportional relationships. For instance, exponential growth isn't linear; it accelerates rapidly rather than progressing linearly. Similarly, a story that jumps between timelines isn't told linearly.

So, whether you're describing a graph, a process, or a narrative, "linearly" signifies a straightforward, consistent progression—a path in a straight line from beginning to end.