proportion
Americannoun
-
comparative relation between things or magnitudes as to size, quantity, number, etc.; ratio.
- Synonyms:
- comparison
-
proper relation between things or parts.
to have tastes way out of proportion to one's financial means.
-
relative size or extent.
-
proportions, dimensions or size.
a rock of gigantic proportions.
-
a portion or part in its relation to the whole.
A large proportion of the debt remains.
- Synonyms:
- share
-
symmetry, harmony, or balance.
an architect with a sense of proportion.
- Synonyms:
- arrangement, distribution
-
the significance of a thing or event that an objective view reveals.
You must try to see these mishaps in proportion.
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Mathematics. a relation of four quantities such that the first divided by the second is equal to the third divided by the fourth; the equality of ratios.
-
Archaic. analogy; comparison.
noun
-
the relationship between different things or parts with respect to comparative size, number, or degree; relative magnitude or extent; ratio
-
the correct or desirable relationship between parts of a whole; balance or symmetry
-
a part considered with respect to the whole
-
(plural) dimensions or size
a building of vast proportions
-
a share, part, or quota
-
maths a relationship that maintains a constant ratio between two variable quantities
x increases in direct proportion to y
-
maths a relationship between four numbers or quantities in which the ratio of the first pair equals the ratio of the second pair
verb
-
to adjust in relative amount, size, etc
-
to cause to be harmonious in relationship of parts
Synonym Usage
See symmetry.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
proportionernoun
-
misproportionnoun
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proportionlessadjective
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proportionablyadverb
-
proportionableadjective
-
superproportionnoun
-
proportionmentnoun
-
proportionabilitynoun
-
reproportionverb (used with object)
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have proportionedperfect
-
has proportionedperfect 3rd person singular
-
has been proportioningperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
am proportioningprogressive 1st person singular
-
is proportioningprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been proportioningperfect progressive
-
are proportioningprogressive
-
proportioningparticiple
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proportionssingular 3rd person
Past
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had proportionedperfect
-
were proportioningprogressive plural
-
had been proportioningperfect progressive
-
was proportioningprogressive singular
-
proportionedsimple
-
proportionedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of proportion
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English proporcio(u)n from Latin prōportiōn-, stem of prōportiō “symmetry, analogy”; equivalent to pro- 1 + portion
Explanation
Proportion is about balance and how things fit together harmoniously. For example "That hound dog's tiny legs look out of proportion to that big fat body." The prefix comes from the Latin pro meaning "on behalf of, for." If you're Proportion likes portions, and for them to be the right size. The cake's sweetness is in direct proportion to how much sugar you put in. It's a compliment to tell someone he or she has just the right proportions, but you might get slapped. It can also be a part of something, as in a significant proportion of our student body has dyed their hair purple.
Vocabulary lists containing proportion
"Fears and Phobias," Vocabulary from the article
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On Your Mark, Get Set, Commence Your Life!
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The Articles of Confederation (1777)
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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.
They promise to attract more subscribers and boost earnings - and, in exchange, OFMs take a proportion of the creators' pre-tax earnings, commonly 50%.
From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026
Pratt tapped into real issues in L.A. and then blew them wildly out of proportion.
From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026
In 2025, 779,000 people lived alone in the South West, accounting for 30.4% of total households and the region has a higher proportion of older people living alone than the national average.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
The participation rate—the proportion of the working-age population who were either employed or unemployed—was unchanged in May at 65%.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
But he's struggling with both proportion and perspective.
From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman
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.
