commensurate

1 of 2

adjective

com·​men·​su·​rate kə-ˈmen(t)s-rət 

-ˈmen(t)sh-;

-ˈmen(t)-sə- 

-shə-

1

: corresponding in size, extent, amount, or degree : proportionate

was given a job commensurate with her abilities

2

: equal in measure or extent : coextensive

lived a life commensurate with the early years of the republic

3

: commensurable sense 1

commensurately adverb

commensuration

kə-ˌmen(t)-sə-ˈrā-shən 

-shə-

noun

commensuration

2 of 2

noun

com·​men·​su·​ra·​tion kə-ˌmen(t)-sə-ˈrā-shən 

-shə-

plural -s

1

: the measuring of things in comparison with one another

2

: the state of being proportionate

fitness lies in a particular commensuration … of one thing to another

—Robert South

Did you know?

Commensurate comes from the Latin word for the act of measuring, mensūra. That noun is based on mensus, the past participle of the verb mētīrī," meaning "to determine the extent of."

Synonyms of commensurate

Adjective

• proportional
• comparable
• proportionate
• balanced
• commensurable

Examples of commensurate in a Sentence

Adjective

Because the effects of tobacco are slow—and iterative—and produce diseases that have other causes and explanations, often later in life, they seldom arouse fear commensurate with their impact. —Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, (2007) 2009

The last of the string family, the double bass, is the largest of all and must be played standing. Because it is seen in jazz bands, it has recently taken on an importance more nearly commensurate with its size. —Aaron Copland, What to Listen for in Music, (1957) 1988

… athletes are rewarded commensurate with their fame, not their intrinsic talent … —Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 21 Dec. 1987

I find it interesting that the meanest life, the poorest existence, is attributed to God's will, but as human beings become more affluent, as their living standard and style begin to ascend the material scale, God descends the scale of responsibility at a commensurate speed. —Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969

Her new position came with a commensurate level of responsibility.

was given a job commensurate with her abilities and experience

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

One of beauty’s buzziest categories got a commensurate celebration Thursday, with key industry leaders heading to Lincoln Center for the 2026 Fragrance Foundation Awards. —James Manso, Footwear News, 16 June 2026

This was not Jonathan Taylor demanding fair compensation until the Indianapolis Colts paid the running back commensurate with his Pro Bowl status. —Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 June 2026

Some have minimal requirements that are commensurate with the risk posed to the public from the services of such licensees. —Doug McCauley, Oc Register, 27 May 2026

Perhaps the biggest challenge in genre studies is to find a theory of genre commensurate with different types of texts within genres. —Tham Thi Nguyen, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Late Latin commensuratus, from Latin com- + Late Latin mensuratus, past participle of mensurare to measure, from Latin mensura measure — more at measure

Noun

Middle French, from Late Latin commensuration, commensuratio, from Latin com- + Late Latin mensuration-, mensuratio act of measuring

First Known Use

Adjective

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for commensurate

• incommensurate

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Kids Definition

commensurate

adjective

com·​men·​su·​rate kə-ˈmen(t)s-(ə-)rət 

-ˈmench-(ə-)rət

1

: equal in measure or extent

2

: proportional sense 1

an income commensurate with one's needs

commensurately adverb

commensuration

kə-ˌmen(t)s-ə-ˈrā-shən 

-ˌmench-ə-

noun