proportional
Proportional (adj) means corresponding in size or degree to something else, changing at a matching rate. Example: “Her bonus was proportional to how much she sold that quarter.”
adj
1
Corresponding in size or degree to something else, changing at a matching rate.
"Her bonus was proportional to how much she sold that quarter."
"Punishment should be proportional to the offense."
"The amount of paint you need is proportional to the size of the wall."
2
(of a typeface) Having letters of varying width rather than all the same width.
"Most body text uses a proportional font rather than a monospace one."
"A proportional typeface makes the letter i narrower than the letter m."
"The designer chose a proportional font so the text looked more natural on screen."
How to use proportional
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMatching in size or degree — as one thing grows or shrinks, the other does too, at a steady rate.
Common pairings
proportional representation
directly proportional
proportional response
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Word forms
- Plural
- proportionals
- Comparative
- more proportional
- Superlative
- most proportional
Fill the gap
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Her bonus was _____ to how much she sold that quarter.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for proportional
coronal
rational
diagonal
personal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
fictional
emotional
See all rhymes for proportional →
Frequently asked questions
What does “proportional” mean?
The word “proportional” means corresponding in size or degree to something else, changing at a matching rate. In plain terms, matching in size or degree — as one thing grows or shrinks, the other does too, at a steady rate.
How do you use “proportional” in a sentence?
Here is “proportional” used in a sentence: “Her bonus was proportional to how much she sold that quarter.”
What part of speech is “proportional”?
“Proportional” is an adjective.
Is “proportional” a common word?
“Proportional” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “proportional” have?
“Proportional” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: corresponding in size or degree to something else, changing at a matching rate.
What is the difference between proportional and proportionate?
Proportional and proportionate are largely interchangeable, both meaning corresponding in size or degree to something else, though proportional is more common in mathematical, statistical, and technical contexts, such as proportional representation, while proportionate is often preferred in general or legal writing.
What does proportional mean in the context of fonts?
When describing a typeface, proportional means the letters have varying widths rather than all being the same width, as opposed to a monospaced font where every character occupies equal space.
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