proposal
Americannoun
-
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:
"Happiness came in a box," Charli says of the proposal, before spiralling into a panic about who she'll become if she says "yes".
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Segro said late Wednesday that it would recommend Prologis’s latest proposal to shareholders if a formal offer were to be made.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
In May, the three states proposed these cuts for the next two and a half years, and now the federal government is set to sign off on much of their proposal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
It also provides disability and survivor benefits, and any opt-out proposal would have to address those protections.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
On the question of funding the domestic debt, for example, Hamilton regarded Madison’s proposal to distinguish between original and present holders of government securities as naive and mischievous.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
But some of Scotland's most popular tourist destinations, including the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Orkney and Shetland have rejected any proposals.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Expect more twists and turns on future proposals as he receives feedback from politicians, voters and investors that he should have solicited sooner by developing a platform before he campaigned for the prime ministership.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
The utility-funded group is lobbying in Sacramento for proposals in a study that Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered to guide lawmakers in writing wildfire-related bills.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in response that Ottawa stands ready to "intensify" talks with the United States, and has made proposals to resolve disputes and modernize the USMCA.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
The end result: Both proposals failed by roughly three-to-one margins.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
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.
