proportion

[ pruh-pawr-shuhn, -pohr- ]

noun

1. comparative relation between things or magnitudes as to size, quantity, number, etc.; ratio.

   Synonyms: comparison

2. proper relation between things or parts:

   to have tastes way out of proportion to one's financial means.

3. relative size or extent.
4. proportions, dimensions or size:

   a rock of gigantic proportions.

5. a portion or part in its relation to the whole:

   A large proportion of the debt remains.

   Synonyms: share

6. symmetry, harmony, or balance:

   an architect with a sense of proportion.

   Synonyms: arrangement, distribution

7. the significance of a thing or event that an objective view reveals:

   You must try to see these mishaps in proportion.

8. 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. Compare rule of three.
9. Archaic. analogy; comparison.

verb (used with object)

1. to adjust in proper proportion or relation, as to size, quantity, etc.

   Synonyms: harmonize, balance, arrange, regulate

2. to balance or harmonize the proportions of.

proportion

/ prəˈpɔːʃən /

noun

1. the relationship between different things or parts with respect to comparative size, number, or degree; relative magnitude or extent; ratio
2. the correct or desirable relationship between parts of a whole; balance or symmetry
3. a part considered with respect to the whole
4. plural dimensions or size

   a building of vast proportions

5. a share, part, or quota
6. maths a relationship that maintains a constant ratio between two variable quantities

   x increases in direct proportion to y

7. maths a relationship between four numbers or quantities in which the ratio of the first pair equals the ratio of the second pair

verb

1. to adjust in relative amount, size, etc
2. to cause to be harmonious in relationship of parts

proportion

/ prə-pôr′shən /

1. A statement of equality between two ratios. Four quantities, a, b, c, and d, are said to be in proportion if

Derived Forms

• proˌportionaˈbility, noun
• proˈportionably, adverb
• proˈportionment, noun
• proˈportionable, adjective

Other Words From

• pro·portion·er noun
• pro·portion·less adjective
• mispro·portion noun
• repro·portion verb (used with object)
• super·pro·portion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of proportion¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English proporcio(u)n from Latin prōportiōn-, stem of prōportiō “symmetry, analogy”; equivalent to pro- ¹ + portion

Word History and Origins

Origin of proportion¹

C14: from Latin prōportiō (a translation of Greek analogia ), from phrase prō portione, literally: for (its, his, one's) portion

Idioms and Phrases

see out of proportion .

Synonym Study

See symmetry.

Example Sentences

The proportion of people who, after landing on your app marketplace snippet clicks to go into the product page, is expressed in percentage, and it is called the conversion rate.

From Search Engine Watch

These integrals take on monstrous proportions in multi-loop Feynman diagrams, which come into play as researchers march down the line and fold in more complicated virtual interactions.

From Quanta Magazine

Rates of testing, he said, were lower in poorer areas and areas with higher proportions of residents who are racial minorities.

From FiveThirtyEight

Epidemiologists look to the percent-positive rate, or the proportion of positive tests relative to total tests done, to distinguish between these two possibilities.

From Science News

The 2019 Climate Equity Index Report found that cost burdens of basic needs, including energy, transportation and housing, are much higher in communities with a higher proportion of people of color.

From Voice of San Diego

Idiocies multiply in direct proportion to the accumulating legal rigidities.

From The Daily Beast

But it was still one in which the male property owners had a vote, which was a small proportion of the population.

From The Daily Beast

You spend an excessive proportion of your income on “pure” foods.

From The Daily Beast

“The fears in epidemic proportion and they need to be calmed down,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

“A relatively small proportion of men are responsible for a large number of rapes,” the 2002 study notes.

From The Daily Beast

If now we turn to the higher aspects of form, such as symmetry and proportion, we encounter a difficulty.

From Project Gutenberg

A considerable proportion of the industrial and commercial news is now written to an end.

From Project Gutenberg

The fact is, that the proportion of white men in the French Division is low; there are too many Senegalese.

From Project Gutenberg

You engaged to produce your fair proportion of capital; you have given nothing.

From Project Gutenberg

When the features begin to be represented by something more like a form we find in most cases a curious want of proportion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bulk
• capacity
• dimension
• distribution
• fraction
• magnitude
• percentage
• portion
• rate
• ratio
• scale
• scope
• share
• volume