proportional

[pruh-pawr-shuh-nl]

adjective

1. having due proportion; corresponding.

   Synonyms: proportionate, consonant, accordant, harmonious

2. being in or characterized by proportion.

3. of, relating to, or based on proportion; relative.

4. Mathematics.

   1. (of two quantities) having the same or a constant ratio or relation.

      The quantities y and x are proportional if y/x = k, where k is the constant of proportionality.

   2. (of a first quantity with respect to a second quantity) a constant multiple of.

      The quantity y is proportional to x if y = kx, where k is the constant of proportionality.

proportional

/ prəˈpɔːʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, involving, or being in proportion

2. maths having or related by a constant ratio

noun

1. maths an unknown term in a proportion

   in a/b = c/x, x is the fourth proportional

Other Word Forms

• proportionality noun
• proportionally adverb
• interproportional adjective
• nonproportional adjective
• nonproportionally adverb
• subproportional adjective
• subproportionally adverb
• unproportional adjective
• unproportionally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of proportional¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English proporcional, from Latin prōportiōnālis; proportion, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Because that energy return is proportional to the force on the shoe, heavier runners are experiencing greater energy return than lighter runners.

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In Wales, they have high hopes the new proportional representation voting system will allow the party to gain a foothold in the Senedd.

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According to a report on its findings, ICE “routinely isolates people for minor infractions, transforming what should be civil administrative proceedings into punishment systems that operate without criminal conviction, due process protections, or proportional sentencing.”

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"We're putting our biggest campaign force we've ever done into the field, because it's a proportional election, we think we can do really well," he said.

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The election uses a system of proportional representation known as the Single Transferable Vote.

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Related Words

• commensurate 
• corresponding 
• reciprocal