proportional
Americanadjective
-
having due proportion; corresponding.
- Synonyms:
- proportionate, consonant, accordant, harmonious
-
being in or characterized by proportion.
-
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.
-
adjective
-
of, involving, or being in proportion
-
maths having or related by a constant ratio
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of proportional
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English proporcional, from Latin prōportiōnālis; see proportion, -al 1
Explanation
The adjective proportional describes something that has a relative size or amount to something else. When you're a mom, you know it's best to make sure chores are given out proportional amounts according to age and size of your kids. The United States has proportional representation in Congress, meaning that Congressional districts are divided according to the population, set after each census. The adjective proportional can also be used to describe something that has a constant ratio. This usage is especially common in math to describe things like proportional triangles or proportional variables. Proportionate is often interchangeable with proportional.
Vocabulary lists containing proportional
ACT Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Dear Martin
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Steve Jobs's Commencement Address (2005)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
"Our results show that as discussions around proportional representation in the UK get more attention, there is no such thing as a 'perfect' system," said Klausen.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026
It said the change in approach would extend "the Navy's reach, resilience and firepower without a proportional increase in crew or cost".
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Also, having large frontal areas with an open cargo bed, the typical pickup design generates high aerodynamic drag, a factor that increases consumption proportional to the square of the velocity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026
It is based on Metcalfe’s Law, which assumes that the value of a network is proportional to the square of how many members are in that network.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 11, 2026
Lamarck believed that animals adapted to their environments by strengthening or weakening certain traits—“with a power proportional to the length of time it has been so used.”
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
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.
