# linear

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈlɪni.ə/ · frequency rank #5,894

## Definitions
1. Having the form of a line; straight or roughly straight; following a direct course.
2. Of or relating to lines.
3. Made, or designed to be used, in a step-by-step, sequential manner.
4. Long and narrow, with nearly parallel sides.
5. (of polynomials or polynomial equations)
6. (of polynomials or polynomial equations)
7. (of functions or maps)
8. (of functions or maps)
9. A type of length measurement involving only one spatial dimension (as opposed to area or volume).
10. Delivered or delivering on a fixed schedule, as opposed to on-demand.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin līneāris, from līnea (“line”) + -āris (adjectival suffix), equivalent to line + -ar. Doublet of lineal.

## Easily confused with
- **lines** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-lines)
- **liver** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-liver)
- **lined** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-lined)
- **lunar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-lunar)
- **liner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-liner)
- **linen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-linen)
- **liter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-liter)
- **loner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-loner)
- **lineup** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-lineup)
- **linger** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-linger)
- **linker** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-linker)
- **lineman** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-lineman)
- **linearly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linear-vs-linearly)
- **line** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/line-vs-linear)
- **liar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/liar-vs-linear)
- **lear** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lear-vs-linear)
- **Lina** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lina-vs-linear)
- **Linda** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linda-vs-linear)
- **liber** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/liber-vs-linear)
- **lidar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lidar-vs-linear)

## Common misspellings (8)
`ilnear`, `lienar`, `linaer`, `linearr`, `linera`, `linnear`, `llinear`, `lniear`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/linear