What does cubically mean?
"Cubically" is an adverb meaning in a manner relating to cubes — most often to volume, which is measured in cubic units, or to mathematical quantities raised to the third power. It appears chiefly in technical contexts: engineers may specify that a material's quantity must be computed cubically, while mathematicians and computer scientists speak of relationships that grow or scale cubically, meaning they increase in proportion to the cube of some variable. Such cubic growth has dramatic practical consequences — doubling an input multiplies the cost eightfold — which is why the term carries weight in discussions of algorithms and resource use. The word derives from "cubic," itself from the Latin cubus, meaning cube. Though uncommon in casual speech, "cubically" is precise and useful wherever three-dimensional extent or third-power relationships are under discussion.
adverbIn a cubic manner; in terms of, or with respect to, volume measured in cubic units. In mathematics, in a manner involving the third power of a quantity.
- With respect to volume; measured in cubic units.
- In mathematics and computing: involving or varying according to the third power of a quantity.
"The tank's capacity was measured cubically rather than in linear dimensions."
"The storage requirement grows cubically with the number of nodes."
"Concrete is sold by volume, so quantities are calculated cubically rather than by area."
When an algorithm 'scales cubically,' doubling the input makes it eight times slower — one reason this little adverb strikes fear into computer scientists.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cubically
"Cubically" derives from "cubic," which traces back through Latin cubus to Greek kubos, meaning a die or cube. The adjective "cubical" and its adverb form "cubically" developed as English adopted Latinate technical vocabulary, particularly in geometry and measurement. Cognates include French cubique and Spanish cúbico, all reflecting the same classical root.
Related word forms
How cubically is actually used
A technical word used mainly in mathematics, engineering, computing, and scientific writing; rare in everyday conversation.
Easily confused with cubically
Cubical is an adjective meaning cube-shaped or relating to a cube (and colloquially a small office partition), while cubically is its adverb form describing how something is done or measured.
Despite superficial sound similarity, critically means of decisive importance, whereas cubically relates to cubes or third powers.