quadratic

adjective

qua·​drat·​ic kwä-ˈdra-tik 

: involving terms of the second degree at most

quadratic function

quadratic equations

quadratic noun

quadratically

kwä-ˈdra-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of quadratic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To explore the possibility of diminishing returns, a quadratic term was added to the model. —Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

The mathematicians needed to get better control over the quadratic twist. —Joseph Howlett, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2025

Then, in summer 2024, while working on a different problem, the pair had to use quadratic twists again. —Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025

The decision to settle on a cubic rather than quadratic function or even higher order polynomial is somewhat arbitrary. —Korok Ray, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing quadratic

• quadratic equation
• quadratic form
• quadratic formula

Rhymes for quadratic

• asthmatic
• chromatic
• climatic
• dogmatic
• dramatic
• ecstatic
• emphatic
• erratic
• eustatic
• fanatic
• hepatic
• lymphatic

Kids Definition

quadratic

1 of 2 adjective

qua·​drat·​ic

kwä-ˈdrat-ik

: involving or consisting of terms in which no variable is raised to a power higher than 2

a quadratic expression

a quadratic function

quadratic

2 of 2 noun

: a quadratic polynomial or equation