proposal
Americannoun
-
proposals
plural
-
the act of offering or suggesting something for acceptance, adoption, or performance.
- Synonyms:
- recommendation
-
a plan or scheme proposed.
- Synonyms:
- design, suggestion
-
an offer or suggestion of marriage.
noun
-
the act of proposing
-
something proposed, as a plan
-
an offer, esp of marriage
Synonym Usage
Proposal, overture, proposition refer to something in the nature of an offer. A proposal is a plan, a scheme, an offer to be accepted or rejected: to make proposals for peace. An overture is a friendly approach, an opening move (perhaps involving a proposal) tentatively looking toward the settlement of a controversy or else preparing the way for a proposal or the like: to make overtures to an enemy. Proposition, used in mathematics to refer to a formal statement of truth, and often including the proof or demonstration of the statement, has something of this same meaning when used nontechnically (particularly in business). A proposition is a proposal in which the terms are clearly stated and their advantageous nature emphasized: His proposition involved a large discount to the retailer.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of proposal
Explanation
A proposal is an offer. When making a marriage proposal, get down on one knee. When making a business proposal, try to stay off the floor. A proposal is a suggested plan or offer. After overhearing the marriage proposal, everyone in the restaurant watched in silence, waiting to hear your answer. At least you said "yes" to dessert. There are other types of proposals besides marriage offers: "Your proposal that the dollar be replaced by a new currency made of cheese has gained support from the dairy industry."
Vocabulary lists containing proposal
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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.
See Examples For:
Schiff said the new data further demonstrate “the urgent need to act and pass a federal film tax proposal to stop the exodus of production to other countries offering more competitive incentives.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
"Any proposal that fails to reconcile our climate objectives with social and economic realities will be doomed to fail," said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
Hire an independent elder-law and estate-planning attorney to represent the parents and independently evaluate the proposal.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
The three-tiered design of the proposal is similar to the British Army's current Sky Sabre, external air defence system.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
Elizabeth was exceedingly pleased with this proposal, and felt persuaded of her sister’s ready acquiescence.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
The Securities and Exchange Commission issued two rule proposals on Sept. 30 that could open private-market funds to more ordinary investors.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
They need actionable proposals to expand housing supply, improve access to well-paying jobs, and make starting a family financially manageable.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
"Our members at the council will now vote on these proposals as swiftly as possible."
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
The spokesperson did not comment on whether this specific proposal violated city rules but noted that documented proposals require a professional photography permit and said that proposals that include set-ups and structures are not allowed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026
Half went to a conference room to present their proposals to a panel of judges, while the others went to a computer lab to test their weather models in different scenarios.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
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.
