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

If a similar result is replicated across the whole of Wales at the Senedd election next May - which will switch to a new proportional representation voting system - then the party could face an existential threat.

Read more on BBC

The Liberal Democrats have long backed electoral reform and support bringing in a form of proportional representation, which they feel would more fairly reflect people's votes.

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The amount of income tax is proportional to the size of the withdrawal.

Read more on MarketWatch

One proposal from Republican lawmakers would require shares held in passively managed funds to be voted on a proportional basis according to instructions from fund investors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But it expressly disavows any right for minority groups to receive representation proportional to their share of the population.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• commensurate 
• corresponding 
• reciprocal