proportional

noun

pro·por·tion·al | \prə-ˈpȯr-shnəl,

-shə-nᵊl\

Definition of proportional

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a number or quantity in a proportion

proportional

adjective

Definition of proportional (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : corresponding in size, degree, or intensity

b : having the same or a constant ratio corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional

2 : regulated or determined in size or degree with reference to proportions a proportional system of immigration quotas

Other Words from proportional Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about proportional

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Other Words from proportional

Adjective

proportionality \prə-ˌpȯr-shə-ˈna-lə-tē

\ noun

proportionally \prə-ˈpȯr-shnə-lē,

-shə-nᵊl-ē \ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for proportional

Synonyms: Adjective

commensurable, commensurate, proportionate

Antonyms: Adjective

disproportionate

Examples of proportional in a Sentence

Adjective

The features of the face in the drawing are proportional. the Web site's popularity increased exponentially, resulting in a proportional increase in advertising revenue

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three each state are proportional to the number of voters in each state. — Fox News, "Fox News Poll 07/13/18," 12 July 2018 With a 1944 population of only 3,200 residents, Bedford, Virginia, lost 23 young men in this single campaign, giving it the highest proportional loss of any town in America for the D-Day invasion. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Dems doing what it takes to win," 7 June 2018 Our data suggest that more people of color and women are using dockless bikes than [Capital Bikeshare] on a proportional basis. — Luz Lazo, Washington Post, "Are dockless bikeshare systems changing Washington’s biking culture?," 2 June 2018 The system is broadly, though not entirely, proportional. — The Economist, "America’s electoral system gives the Republicans advantages over Democrats," 12 July 2018 But any stake sale involves the partners giving up a proportional stream of future income. — Paul J. Davies, WSJ, "How Private Equity Firms Are Solving Their Growth Problem," 12 July 2018 Most players getting those deals, even All-Stars, can't produce proportional value on the court. — Andrew Sharp, SI.com, "The NBA is Broken, But Not Because of DeMarcus Cousins," 5 July 2018 Gone, in other words, is the traditional arrangement where shareholders who put their money on the line get a proportional say in how companies operate. — Evan Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, "Public, private, now public again. Dell’s dance with investors makes sense," 2 July 2018 Hint: Look at his limbs A man may be attractive because of his curly, blond hair or slick pin-striped suit, but strip everything away and one luring piece remains, a new study finds: how proportional his body is, especially his legs. — Katie Langin, Science | AAAS, "Top stories: HPV vaccine debate, 2000-year-old pollution, and a lawmaker’s views on sea level rise," 18 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'proportional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.