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proportional

/prəˈpɔrʃɪnəl/
/prəˈpɔʃɪnəl/
IPA guide

Other forms: proportionals

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.

Definitions of proportional
  1. adjective
    having a constant ratio
    synonyms:
    proportionate
    being in due proportion
  2. adjective
    properly related in size or degree or other measurable characteristics; usually followed by `to'
    “the punishment ought to be proportional to the crime”
    synonyms: relative
    proportionate
    being in due proportion
  3. noun
    one of the quantities in a mathematical proportion
    see moresee less
    type of:
    quantity
    the concept that something has a magnitude and can be represented in mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘proportional'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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