ratio

1 of 2

noun

ra·​tio ˈrā-shē-ˌō 

-(ˌ)shō

plural ratios

1

a

: the indicated quotient of two mathematical expressions

b

: the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things : proportion

2

: the expression of the relative values of gold and silver as determined by a country's currency laws

ratio

2 of 2

verb

ratioed; ratioing; ratios

transitive verb

: to give considerably more negative than positive responses or reactions to (a social media post, user, etc.)

… users have ratioed the U.S. president, with many expressing disappointment and anger.

—Amanda Yeo

On Twitter, Variety's review got ratioed for a headline calling First Kill a "tired take" on "teen lesbian vampires," with folks piling on to rightfully call out the irony of labeling one of the only TV shows centered on a young lesbian love story "tired."

—Jess Joho

also : to respond to or comment on (another post, user, etc. on social media) and receive considerably more positive responses or reactions than the original post, user, etc.

Thomas' tweet ratioed the White Sox with over 2,000 likes and 218 retweets compared to 264 likes and 88 retweets on the original post …

—Andrés Soto

Synonyms of ratio

Noun

• rate

Examples of ratio in a Sentence

Noun

What is the length-to-width ratio?

the ratio of students to teachers in the school is nine to one

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Triumph has also tweaked the first three gearbox ratios as well, aiming to deliver stronger acceleration and improved drive where riders are likely to use it most. — New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026

The stock’s relative-strength ratio has rebounded above its 20-day moving average, which is beginning to turn higher after a period of significant underperformance. — Katie Stockton, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026

Shall the Charter be amended to remove only the floor area ratio regulations and the restrictions on mixed and accessory uses from the Charter? — South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

Faster nuclear detection Mass spectrometers identify substances by measuring the mass-to-charge ratios of small particles. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin, computation, reason — more at reason entry 1

Verb

derivative of ratio entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 2017, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ratio

• aspect ratio
• case fatality ratio
• common ratio
• focal ratio
• golden ratio
• gyromagnetic ratio
• loss ratio
• nutritive ratio
• Poisson's ratio
• price-earnings ratio
• ultima ratio

Rhymes for ratio

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

ratio

noun

ra·​tio ˈrā-shō 

-shē-ˌō

plural ratios

1

: the quotient of two numbers or mathematical expressions

the ratio of 6 to 3 may be expressed as 6:3, ⁶⁄₃, and 2

2

: the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things

women outnumbered men in the ratio of three to one

Medical Definition

ratio

noun

ra·​tio ˈrā-(ˌ)shō, -shē-ˌō 

plural ratios

: the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things see sex ratio