proportion
comparative relation between things or magnitudes as to size, quantity, number, etc.; ratio.
proper relation between things or parts: to have tastes way out of proportion to one's financial means.
relative size or extent.
proportions, dimensions or size: a rock of gigantic proportions.
a portion or part in its relation to the whole: A large proportion of the debt remains.
symmetry, harmony, or balance: an architect with a sense of proportion.
the significance of a thing or event that an objective view reveals: You must try to see these mishaps in proportion.
Mathematics. a relation of four quantities such that the first divided by the second is equal to the third divided by the fourth; the equality of ratios.: Compare rule of three.
Archaic. analogy; comparison.
to adjust in proper proportion or relation, as to size, quantity, etc.
to balance or harmonize the proportions of.
Origin of proportion
1synonym study For proportion
Other words for proportion
Other words from proportion
- pro·por·tion·er, noun
- pro·por·tion·less, adjective
- mis·pro·por·tion, noun
- re·pro·por·tion, verb (used with object)
- su·per·pro·por·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use proportion in a sentence
The island faces an environmental challenge of huge proportions.
To test out a doll he designed to have realistic human proportions, Nickolay Lamm went to a group of second-graders in Pittsburgh.
Pot-Smoking Grannies, Jimmy Fallon Covers U2, and More Viral Videos | The Daily Beast Video | November 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThat corruption, says Stafford Smith, provided the opportunity for a “frame-up of epic proportions.”
Did Pablo Escobar Frame a Millionaire for Murdering Banana-Shipping Money Launderers? | Jacqui Goddard | November 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn recent years, the problem has grown to epidemic proportions.
Is Weed the Secret to Beating Opiate Addiction? | Tracey Mitchell, Abby Haglage | September 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTNote, Faircloth says “characters' proportions,” not just the female ones.
Full Frontal Disney: Feminism's Nudity Double Standard | Emily Shire | August 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It was a decayed house of superb proportions, but of a fashion long passed away.
Checkmate | Joseph Sheridan Le FanuThe latter-named proportions may in some measure account for "what becomes of the pins?"
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter ShowellHe threw out his arms, as if trying to indicate the proportions of a great world or of an enormous ocean.
Bella Donna | Robert HichensIt not only brought about the instant beginnings of the siege, but its proportions were grossly exaggerated in the public eye.
The Red Year | Louis TracyHere Letty drew the coverlet from the face of the sleeping babe, and displayed his chubby proportions with maternal pride.
The World Before Them | Susanna Moodie
British Dictionary definitions for proportion
/ (prəˈpɔːʃən) /
the relationship between different things or parts with respect to comparative size, number, or degree; relative magnitude or extent; ratio
the correct or desirable relationship between parts of a whole; balance or symmetry
a part considered with respect to the whole
(plural) dimensions or size: a building of vast proportions
a share, part, or quota
maths a relationship that maintains a constant ratio between two variable quantities: x increases in direct proportion to y
maths a relationship between four numbers or quantities in which the ratio of the first pair equals the ratio of the second pair
to adjust in relative amount, size, etc
to cause to be harmonious in relationship of parts
Origin of proportion
1Derived forms of proportion
- proportionable, adjective
- proportionability, noun
- proportionably, adverb
- proportionment, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for proportion
[ prə-pôr′shən ]
A statement of equality between two ratios. Four quantities, a, b, c, and d, are said to be in proportion if ab = cd.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with proportion
see out of proportion.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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