noun Common

ratio

RAY-shee-oh

Ratio (noun) means a comparison between two amounts, showing how many times one contains the other. Example: “The recipe calls for a ratio of two cups flour to one cup sugar.”

noun

A comparison between two amounts, showing how many times one contains the other.

"The recipe calls for a ratio of two cups flour to one cup sugar."

verb

In social media slang, to reply to a post with far more engagement than the post itself received, usually to criticize or mock it.

"The politician got ratioed after his tweet was widely mocked."

How to use ratio

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA proportional comparison of two numbers, or (slang) getting more critical replies than likes online.

When to use it

The social-media verb sense is very informal internet slang.

Common pairings

ratio of get ratioed

Word forms

ratioed past tense, ratio'd past tense, ratios singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The recipe calls for a _____ of two cups flour to one cup sugar.

Etymology

From Latin ratio, "reckoning, calculation" — the same root as "ration" and "reason."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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proportion rate quotient relation

Related words

price rate relationship range charge speed percent telling

Rhymes for ratio

io CIO bio tio rio Mio Pio Gio trio Clio Akio radio

See all rhymes for ratio →

Frequently asked questions

What does “ratio” mean?

The word “ratio” means a comparison between two amounts, showing how many times one contains the other. In plain terms, a proportional comparison of two numbers, or (slang) getting more critical replies than likes online.

How do you pronounce “ratio”?

“Ratio” is pronounced RAY-shee-oh (/ˈɹeɪ.ʃoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “ratio” in a sentence?

Here is “ratio” used in a sentence: “The recipe calls for a ratio of two cups flour to one cup sugar.”

What part of speech is “ratio”?

Depending on how it is used, “ratio” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “ratio” come from?

The word “ratio” comes from Latin. From Latin ratio, "reckoning, calculation" — the same root as "ration" and "reason.".

Is “ratio” a common word?

“Ratio” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “ratio” have?

“Ratio” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a comparison between two amounts, showing how many times one contains the other.

What is the difference between a ratio and a fraction?

A ratio compares two amounts, showing how many times one contains the other, and can compare part to part — such as 3 boys to 2 girls in a class. A fraction expresses a part of a whole, so the same class is 3/5 boys. Ratios are usually written with a colon (3:2), fractions with a bar.

What is the difference between ratio and proportion?

A ratio is a single comparison between two amounts, such as 2:3. A proportion is a statement that two ratios are equal, such as 2:3 = 4:6, or the share that one part represents of a whole.

What is the plural of ratio?

The plural is "ratios," formed by simply adding -s. Unlike some nouns ending in -o, it never takes -es, so "ratioes" is incorrect.

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