learning curve

noun

1

: a curve plotting performance against practice

especially : one graphing decline in unit costs with cumulative output

2

: the course of progress made in learning something

Examples of learning curve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While there was a bit of a learning curve adjusting the top of the bag from 145 centimeters to 195 centimeters to accommodate larger boards, the rest of the bag is incredibly intuitive and easy to figure out. —Nathan Allen, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2026

There’s no doubt the learning curve will be steep this season, so does Pérez believe points or even a podium is realistic for the team’s maiden voyage? —Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026

This not only creates a steeper learning curve for new hires but can cause greater turnover in those critical first 90-days on the job. —Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

However, getting past the learning curve can offer home gardeners serious benefits. —Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for learning curve

• conserve
• deserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve
• mirv
• nerve
• serve
• swerve
• verve