portion
12 synonyms and 0 antonyms for portion, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A part or share of something larger.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use portion
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French porcion, from Latin portionem ("a share, part"), related to pars ("part").
Full origin of portion →Frequently asked questions
What does “portion” mean?
The word “portion” means a part or share of something larger. In plain terms, a part or share of a whole thing, or to divide something into shares.
How do you pronounce “portion”?
“Portion” is pronounced PAW-shuhn (/ˈpoɹʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “portion” in a sentence?
Here is “portion” used in a sentence: “She ate only a small portion of her dinner.”
What is another word for “portion”?
Words with a similar meaning to “portion” include apportion, divide, divide up, divvy and divvy up.
What part of speech is “portion”?
Depending on how it is used, “portion” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “portion” come from?
The word “portion” comes from Latin. From Old French porcion, from Latin portionem ("a share, part"), related to pars ("part").
Is “portion” a common word?
“Portion” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “portion” have?
“Portion” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a part or share of something larger.
What is the difference between a portion and a serving?
A portion is simply a part or share of something larger, so it can be any size. A serving is a specific, recommended amount of food, often defined by a nutrition guide or recipe. Your portion on the plate might be bigger or smaller than one official serving, which is why the two are easily confused.
What is an example of a portion?
A slice cut from a pizza is a portion of the whole. So is the share of a bill you agree to pay, or the section of a book you read in one sitting. Any time something larger is divided into parts, each part is a portion — whether it is food, money or work.
Does "portion" only refer to food?
No. Portion often appears in cooking — a portion of rice or cake — but it applies to anything divisible. You can inherit a portion of an estate, complete a portion of a task, or set aside a portion of your income. At heart it just means a part or share of a larger whole.