non-linear

[/nɒnˈlɪniər/]
adjective
não-linear
1. Not arranged in or extending along a straight line; not following a sequential or proportional relationship
The growth of the company followed a non-linear pattern with periods of rapid expansion followed by plateaus.
O crescimento da empresa seguiu um padrão não-linear com períodos de expansão rápida seguidos de platôs.
2. In mathematics and physics, describing equations or systems where output is not directly proportional to input
Non-linear differential equations are more complex to solve than linear ones.
Equações diferenciais não-lineares são mais complexas de resolver do que as lineares.
3. In narrative or storytelling, not proceeding in chronological order or following a straightforward sequence
The film uses a non-linear narrative structure that jumps between different time periods.
O filme usa uma estrutura narrativa não-linear que salta entre diferentes períodos de tempo.
The term 'non-linear' has become increasingly prevalent in Brazilian and Portuguese business and technology sectors, particularly in discussions about innovation, startups, and digital transformation. It reflects modern approaches to problem-solving and creative thinking in contemporary professional contexts.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
curvednonsequentialcomplexirregularunpredictable
Antonyms / Antônimos
linearsequentialproportionalstraightdirect

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
não-linear
Standard term used in academic, scientific, and technical contexts
Portugal
não-linear
Same usage as Brazilian Portuguese; commonly used in mathematics and physics
Technical/Academic
não-linear
Used universally in scientific publications and university courses across Portuguese-speaking countries

Related Words

nonlinearitychaos theorydynamic systemscurve

Related Idioms & Phrases

think outside the box
take a different approach
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →