proposal
11 synonyms for proposal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A plan or suggestion put forward for others to consider.
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.
marriage offer
marriage proposal
proposal of marriage
How to use proposal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
submit a proposal
marriage proposal
business proposal
Etymology
From propose + -al, following the pattern of turning a verb into a noun for the thing proposed.
Full origin of proposal →Frequently asked questions
What does “proposal” mean?
The word “proposal” means a plan or suggestion put forward for others to consider. In plain terms, a plan put forward for consideration, or specifically an offer of marriage.
How do you pronounce “proposal”?
“Proposal” is pronounced pruh-POH-zuhl (/pɹəˈpoʊzəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “proposal” in a sentence?
Here is “proposal” used in a sentence: “The committee will vote on the proposal next week.”
What part of speech is “proposal”?
“Proposal” is a noun.
Is “proposal” a common word?
“Proposal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “proposal” have?
“Proposal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a plan or suggestion put forward for others to consider.
What is the difference between a proposal and a proposition?
A proposal is a plan or suggestion offered for others to consider and often act on, such as a business or project proposal. A proposition is more often a statement to be discussed or a claim to be judged true or false, though in business the two overlap and both can mean an offer.
What are the types of proposals?
Common kinds include business proposals, which pitch products or services; project and research proposals, which outline planned work and funding; and policy or grant proposals. Outside work, "proposal" also famously means an offer of marriage. Each type sets out an idea for others to weigh up and approve.
What is the difference between a proposal and a quote?
A quote, or quotation, states a fixed price for specific work. A proposal is broader: it explains the plan, approach, scope and benefits, and usually includes pricing as part of a persuasive case. A quote answers "how much?", while a proposal answers "what, how and why?" as well.
What is an example of a proposal?
A company sending a client a document that outlines a service, timeline and cost is a classic proposal. So is a researcher submitting a plan to win funding, or a councillor putting forward a suggestion for a new bus route. Each puts an idea forward for others to consider.
