proposition
prah-puh-ZIH-shuhn
Proposition (noun) means a suggestion or offer put forward for consideration, especially a business plan or deal. Example: “The council listened carefully to the company's proposition for a new market hall.”
noun
1
A suggestion or offer put forward for consideration, especially a business plan or deal.
"The council listened carefully to the company's proposition for a new market hall."
"I have a proposition for you: we share the cost and split the work."
"He made her a business proposition she found hard to refuse."
2
A statement that can be judged as true or false.
"The proposition that all swans are white was disproved when someone saw a black one."
"In logic class, we had to decide whether each proposition was true or false."
"The mathematician proved the proposition using a simple diagram."
verb
1
To suggest something to someone, especially a sexual encounter.
"He was fired after propositioning a coworker at the party."
How to use proposition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn offer or suggestion put forward for consideration; in logic and math, a statement that's either true or false.
Common mistake
As a verb, "proposition" usually implies a sexual advance, unlike the more neutral verb "propose."
Common pairings
business proposition
a tempting proposition
logical proposition
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- propositions
- Past tense
- propositioned
Fill the gap
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The council listened carefully to the company's _____ for a new market hall.
Etymology
From Latin propositio, from the verb proponere ("to put forward"), the same root as "propose."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for proposition
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for proposition →
Frequently asked questions
What does “proposition” mean?
The word “proposition” means a suggestion or offer put forward for consideration, especially a business plan or deal. In plain terms, an offer or suggestion put forward for consideration; in logic and math, a statement that's either true or false.
How do you pronounce “proposition”?
“Proposition” is pronounced prah-puh-ZIH-shuhn (/ˌpɹɑpəˈzɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “proposition” in a sentence?
Here is “proposition” used in a sentence: “He made her a business proposition she found hard to refuse.”
What is another word for “proposition”?
Words with a similar meaning to “proposition” include make a pass.
What part of speech is “proposition”?
Depending on how it is used, “proposition” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “proposition” come from?
The word “proposition” comes from Latin. From Latin propositio, from the verb proponere ("to put forward"), the same root as "propose.".
Is “proposition” a common word?
“Proposition” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “proposition” have?
“Proposition” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a suggestion or offer put forward for consideration, especially a business plan or deal.
What is the difference between a proposition and a proposal?
Proposition and proposal are close synonyms for a suggestion or offer put forward for consideration, especially in business contexts. Proposition is also used in logic and philosophy for a statement that can be judged true or false, a technical sense proposal does not share.
What is a proposition in logic or philosophy?
In logic, a proposition is a statement that can be judged as either true or false, forming the basic unit of reasoning in logical arguments. This is distinct from its everyday use describing a business plan or offer.
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