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

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

From BBC

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.”

From Los Angeles Times

"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.

From BBC

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

From BBC

Norway has a political system involving 19 electoral constituencies based on proportional representation and no party can govern on its own.

From BBC

Related Words

• commensurate 
• corresponding 
• reciprocal