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

Fair enough, although there surely would be too steep a Springfield learning curve for a man with near-zero political experience. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

Mike Shildt’s Padres legacy isn’t without blemishes, but the attention to detail that Shildt brought to managing the past two Padres teams has made rookie manager Craig Stammen’s learning curve less steep. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026

The system will be a learning curve and adjustment for everyone. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2026

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

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