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-dimensionally
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
But what’s often overlooked—or at least, not given as much attention—are the partnerships that actually work, thrive, and defy those tired one-dimensional narratives.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 10 Mar. 2025
Before the eclipse, the full moon looked flat and one-dimensional.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Mar. 2025
With all due respect to the great Patricia Arquette, the character wasn’t especially missed in her absence, as her villainy and zealotry have tended to be written in a more one-dimensional way than how Severance portrays those same broad ideas with Milchick.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025
In a lot of shows centering South Asian characters, the characters become these one-dimensional vessels to either support the model-minority narrative or reject the model-minority narrative.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-dimensional
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 10 Mar. 2025
Before the eclipse, the full moon looked flat and one-dimensional.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Mar. 2025
With all due respect to the great Patricia Arquette, the character wasn’t especially missed in her absence, as her villainy and zealotry have tended to be written in a more one-dimensional way than how Severance portrays those same broad ideas with Milchick.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025
In a lot of shows centering South Asian characters, the characters become these one-dimensional vessels to either support the model-minority narrative or reject the model-minority narrative.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
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 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share