Basic Details
Word: Exponent
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A person who supports an idea or is highly skilled at an art; in maths, the small raised number that shows how many times a number is multiplied by itself.
Synonyms: champion, advocate, supporter, master
Antonyms: opponent, critic
How to Spell Exponent
Syllables: ex - po - nent
Tricky part: The ending is ent, like opponent and component. Exponant and expponent are the usual slips.
Watch out for: exponant, expponent, exponet
Memory tip: Group it with component and opponent: all three are built from pon + ent, from the Latin ponere, to place, so they end the same way.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Pandit Ravi Shankar was a famous exponent of the sitar.
Example 2: In 2 to the power 3, the exponent is 3.
Example 3: She is a strong exponent of cycling to school.
Fun Fact
Any non-zero number with an exponent of 0 equals 1, so 7 to the power 0 is 1, and so is 1,000 to the power 0.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word exponent as used in the sentence:
Kelucharan Mohapatra was a leading exponent of the Odissi dance form.
a) rival
b) master
c) critic
d) beginner
Show answer
b) master. An exponent of an art is someone who has mastered it and shows it at its best.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
expponent
a) n
b) p
c) o
d) t
Show answer
b) p. Only one p follows the x, just as component has one p after com.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. componant 2. oponent 3. postponment 4. exponent
a) one part of a machine or system
b) a person on the other side in a contest
c) putting an event off to a later time
d) a skilled performer of an art or style
Show answer
d) a skilled performer of an art or style. Exponent is the correct one; component ends in ent, opponent needs two p's, and postponement keeps the e of postpone.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In 5 to the power 2, which number is the exponent?
a) 10
b) 2
c) 5
d) 25
Show answer
b) 2
2. Which word means the opposite of an exponent of an idea?
a) supporter
b) admirer
c) opponent
d) champion
Show answer
c) opponent
