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

After all, lowering your revolving balances can improve your credit utilization ratio, which could, in turn, push up your credit score. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

When viewed as a single portfolio, the target stock/bond ratio can be achieved by trading within accounts that trigger the least taxable amount. — Paula Thielen, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

In 2023, Pittsburgh's Public Source examined census data and found that the neighborhood's Latino population had climbed to 10%, the largest ratio of any major neighborhood or municipality in the region. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Haaland moved to third on City’s all-time scorers’ list, equalled Sergio Aguero’s 36 goals in the Champions League, and is back on a goal-a-game ratio in Europe with 59 strikes in 59 games. — Sam Lee, New York Times, 9 Sep. 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