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

Derived Forms

• proˈportionally, adverb
• proˌportionˈality, noun

Other Words From

• pro·por·tion·al·i·ty [pr, uh, -pawr-sh, uh, -, nal, -i-tee], noun
• pro·por·tion·al·ly adverb
• in·ter·pro·por·tion·al adjective
• non·pro·por·tion·al adjective
• non·pro·por·tion·al·ly adverb
• sub·pro·por·tion·al adjective
• sub·pro·por·tion·al·ly adverb
• un·pro·por·tion·al adjective
• un·pro·por·tion·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of proportional¹

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

Example Sentences

“The lines will be enforced again. They will be done in a proportional way, a commonsense way, a way that rejects extremes,” Hochman said in a recent interview with The Times.

From Los Angeles Times

A more proportional system, such as that proposed in the Fair Representation Act sponsored by Reps.

From Salon

"This proportional response allows the anemone to restore its shape, highlighting how organisms like Nematostella interpret and respond to tissue loss in a way that's scaled to the damage incurred."

From Science Daily

The Republic of Ireland elects its government using a system of proportional representation known as the single transferable vote.

From BBC

A tariff is a domestic tax levied on goods as they enter the country, proportional to the value of the import.

From BBC

Related Words

• commensurate
• corresponding
• reciprocal