proportionate

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​por·​tion·​ate prə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)nət 

: proportional sense 1

proportionately adverb

proportionate

2 of 2

verb

pro·​por·​tion·​ate prə-ˈpȯr-shə-ˌnāt 

proportionated; proportionating

transitive verb

: to make proportionate : proportion

Synonyms of proportionate

Adjective

• proportional
• commensurate
• comparable

Examples of proportionate in a Sentence

Adjective

Each investor will receive a proportionate share of the profits.

expect financial returns proportionate to your efforts

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Clinical action should be proportionate to the strength of available evidence. — Elizabeth Bevins, STAT, 16 June 2026

Container Commercial foods for hermit crabs usually come in small containers proportionate to the size of the food. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 June 2026

Verb

The two-round voting system is complex and not proportionate to the nationwide support for a party. — Bradford Betz, Fox News, 12 June 2022

France's two-round voting system is complex and not proportionate to the nationwide support for a party. — Sylvie Corbet, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English proporcionate, borrowed from Medieval Latin prōportiōnātus, past participle of prōportiōnāre "to compose according to proportions, make proportional" — more at proportion entry 2

Verb

in part derivative of proportionate entry 1, in part borrowed from Medieval Latin prōportiōnātus, past participle of prōportiōnāre "to compose according to proportions, make proportional" — more at proportion entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1570, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for proportionate

• extortionate
• disproportionate

Kids Definition

proportionate

adjective

pro·​por·​tion·​ate

p(r)ə-ˈpōr-sh(ə-)nət, 

-ˈpȯr-

: proportional sense 1

proportionately adverb