proportional
Americanadjective
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having due proportion; corresponding.
- Synonyms:
- proportionate, consonant, accordant, harmonious
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being in or characterized by proportion.
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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
- interproportional adjective
- nonproportional adjective
- nonproportionally adverb
- proportionality noun
- proportionally adverb
- subproportional adjective
- subproportionally adverb
- unproportional adjective
- unproportionally adverb
Etymology
Origin of proportional
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English proporcional, from Latin prōportiōnālis; proportion, -al 1
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.
The 2026 Welsh Senedd election will make history with an increased 96-seat Parliament, 16 new constituencies each returning six members, a system of proportional representation and the potential for real political jeopardy.
From BBC
The election will also see the number of constituencies cut from 40 to 16, with each one represented by six MSs all elected via a new proportional system.
From BBC
Carbon footprint is directly proportional to gallons of gasoline burned, so the same ratio applies.
Led by a New South Wales parliamentarian, John Ruddick, DFP said their challenge would hinge on the ban's impact on political communication, and whether it was proportional to the law's aims.
From BBC
Under proportional representation, the number of MPs a party would get broadly reflects the number of votes they got across the country.
From BBC
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.
