one-dimensional
adjective
one-di·men·sion·al
ˈwən-də-ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)nəl 
also -dī-
1
: having one dimension
A straight line is one-dimensional.
The one-dimensional sequence of amino acids is the primary structure.—
Douglas R. Hofstadter
Douglas R. Hofstadter2
: lacking depth or complexity : superficial
To the audience, the term "sitcom" connoted a lot of one-dimensional stories and characters.—Bob Fisher
Bob Fisher
one-di​mension​ally
adverb
a one-dimensionally portrayed character
The pixels were arranged one-dimensionally. [=in a straight line]
Examples of one-dimensional in a Sentence
a one-dimensional analysis of a novel that has a lot to say about personal courage
Recent Examples on the Web
According to general relativity, in a rotating black hole, the singularity—the theoretical point of infinite density at the center—is really a one-dimensional ring, with closed timelike curves arcing around it.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 12 June 2026
Oftentimes Black artists are seen as caricatures or one-dimensional.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
The Steelers tinkered with a package in seasons past that featured all three outside linebackers on the field at the same time, especially in one-dimensional passing situations.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Are Henry James’s heroines, surely among the most extraordinary female characters in literary history, really one-dimensional idols?
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for one-dimensional
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Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 12 June 2026
Oftentimes Black artists are seen as caricatures or one-dimensional.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
The Steelers tinkered with a package in seasons past that featured all three outside linebackers on the field at the same time, especially in one-dimensional passing situations.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Are Henry James’s heroines, surely among the most extraordinary female characters in literary history, really one-dimensional idols?
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for one-dimensional
Cite this Entry
“One-dimensional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-dimensional. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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