WordGarden.iostepwise
C2Pronunciation
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Meanings
Adjective
done in separate stages rather than all at once
changing by discrete increments rather than continuously
Adverb
in a series of stages or steps
Beyond the definition
Imagine building with LEGO bricks: you do not suddenly have a castle; you add one brick at a time. That is what "stepwise" means. It describes something that happens in clear stages, moving forward gradually instead of all at once. A doctor might increase your medication dose in a stepwise way, checking how your body reacts after each small change.
The word often appears in scientific and technical contexts, such as stepwise regression in statistics, where variables are added one by one to improve a model. But it also fits everyday processes: learning to ride a bike is stepwise; you do not go from wobbling to riding fast right away. It is about moving ahead through clear, ordered steps.
"Stepwise" describes a process or pattern that unfolds in distinct, sequential steps or stages. Think of it like climbing a staircase: each step is a clear move upward, bringing you closer to your goal. Unlike a sudden leap, a stepwise approach emphasizes gradual progress and careful control.
This word is frequently used in fields like mathematics, computer science, and biology to describe algorithms, functions, or processes that work through smaller, manageable steps. For example, a stepwise function changes value only at specific points, creating a stair-step pattern on a graph. In genetics, mutations can build up in a stepwise manner over generations, leading to evolutionary change.
However, "stepwise" is not limited to technical language. It can also describe any methodical approach where progress is made little by little. A company might introduce changes in a stepwise fashion, starting with a pilot program before rolling them out company-wide. Or you might learn a new language through a stepwise curriculum, mastering basic grammar and vocabulary before moving on to more complex ideas.
The key idea is that "stepwise" implies order, control, and deliberate progress from one stage to the next. It is about building something solid one step at a time, just like that LEGO castle.
Examples
- 1
Instructions
The guide provides stepwise instructions for setting up the printer.
- 2
Business growth
We took a stepwise approach to expanding the business, opening one store at a time.
- 3
Medical trial
In the trial, the dose was increased stepwise until the patients responded.
- 4
Data trend
The graph shows a stepwise decline in sales after each price increase.
See also
Similar
- step-by-step
- incremental
- gradual
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- continuous
- all at once
Used with (collocations)
- stepwise approach
- stepwise process
- stepwise refinement
- stepwise regression
Word family
Explore
- staging
- discrete sequence
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- stepwiseadjectiveadverb