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
And yet, given the technological limitations of the time, Mario mostly remained one-dimensional throughout this period.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2026
Stylist Sue Tyrrell used balayage to bring a client's one-dimensional color back to life.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Looks Flat Matchy-matchy spaces have no points of visual interest and can therefore look one-dimensional or flat.
—Nomita Vaish-Taylor, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026
Visibility is often a one-dimensional arc in the stories of trans people in TV, film and print media, and was packaged for nearly a decade as the path to progress and stability in the pre-Trump era.
—Candace Hansen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for one-dimensional
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Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2026
Stylist Sue Tyrrell used balayage to bring a client's one-dimensional color back to life.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Looks Flat Matchy-matchy spaces have no points of visual interest and can therefore look one-dimensional or flat.
—Nomita Vaish-Taylor, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026
Visibility is often a one-dimensional arc in the stories of trans people in TV, film and print media, and was packaged for nearly a decade as the path to progress and stability in the pre-Trump era.
—Candace Hansen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 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 8 Apr. 2026.
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