proportional
Americanadjective
-
having due proportion; corresponding.
- Synonyms:
- proportionate, consonant, accordant, harmonious
-
being in or characterized by proportion.
-
of, relating to, or based on proportion; relative.
-
Mathematics.
-
(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.
-
(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.
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adjective
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of, involving, or being in proportion
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maths having or related by a constant ratio
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of proportional
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English proporcional, from Latin prōportiōnālis; see proportion, -al 1
Explanation
The adjective proportional describes something that has a relative size or amount to something else. When you're a mom, you know it's best to make sure chores are given out proportional amounts according to age and size of your kids. The United States has proportional representation in Congress, meaning that Congressional districts are divided according to the population, set after each census. The adjective proportional can also be used to describe something that has a constant ratio. This usage is especially common in math to describe things like proportional triangles or proportional variables. Proportionate is often interchangeable with proportional.
Vocabulary lists containing proportional
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Dear Martin
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Steve Jobs's Commencement Address (2005)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Proportional representation would be more like 20 seats.
From Washington Times • Dec. 26, 2022
Proportional votes, common in most of the world, award seats to each party based on its share of the vote.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 2, 2022
Proportional distribution of bananas is not the issue here.
From New York Times • May 31, 2019
Proportional representation at the district level works as follows: If a candidate wins a majority, he gets all three delegates.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2016
On the other hand, merits are claimed, with a great show of reason, for Proportional Representation, which are altogether independent of the protection of minorities from oppression.
From The Framework of Home Rule by Childers, Erskine
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
