prorated
Prorated (adjective) means Calculated in proportion to the part of a billing period, salary period or quantity that actually applies, instead of the full amount. Example: “Your first invoice is prorated because you signed up on the 14th.”
How to Use Prorated
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishYou only pay or get the share that matches the time or amount actually used.
Chiefly American English; standard in billing, payroll and subscription services.
Most subscription services prorate the first bill but not the last, so cancelling early often forfeits the rest of the month.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Your first invoice is _____ because you signed up on the 14th.
Etymology
Past participle of prorate, coined from the Latin phrase pro rata "according to the rate".
Synonyms
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Related Words
Rhymes for prorated
See all rhymes for prorated →Frequently Asked Questions
What does prorated mean on a bill?
It means you are charged only for the portion of the billing period you actually used. Sign up halfway through a month on a £30 plan and the prorated first charge is about £15.
What is the difference between prorated and pro rata?
They mean the same thing. Prorated is the American verb-based form used of a specific amount already adjusted; pro rata is the Latin phrase, more common in British English, describing the basis of the calculation.
Is prorated rent based on 30 days or the actual month?
It depends on the lease. Some landlords divide the monthly rent by 30 regardless, others by the true number of days in that month, which changes the figure slightly. The lease should say which method applies.