proposal

[ pruh-poh-zuhl ]

noun

1. the act of offering or suggesting something for acceptance, adoption, or performance.

   Synonyms: recommendation

2. a plan or scheme proposed.

   Synonyms: design, suggestion

3. an offer or suggestion of marriage.

proposal

/ prəˈpəʊzəl /

noun

1. the act of proposing
2. something proposed, as a plan
3. an offer, esp of marriage

Other Words From

• mispro·posal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of proposal¹

First recorded in 1645–55; propose + -al ²

Synonym Study

Proposal, overture, proposition refer to something in the nature of an offer. A proposal is a plan, a scheme, an offer to be accepted or rejected: to make proposals for peace. An overture is a friendly approach, an opening move (perhaps involving a proposal) tentatively looking toward the settlement of a controversy or else preparing the way for a proposal or the like: to make overtures to an enemy. Proposition, used in mathematics to refer to a formal statement of truth, and often including the proof or demonstration of the statement, has something of this same meaning when used nontechnically (particularly in business). A proposition is a proposal in which the terms are clearly stated and their advantageous nature emphasized: His proposition involved a large discount to the retailer.

Example Sentences

University officials disputed the union’s allegations, saying in a statement that “we fundamentally disagree with AFSCME’s claims of bad faith bargaining and characterization of unacceptable bargaining proposals.”

From Los Angeles Times

But as Trump prepares to reenter the White House with a proposal to significantly expand tariffs, they seem to be on everyone's mind.

From Salon

In what was seen as a positive development, he returned to Beirut on Tuesday after the Lebanese government and Hezbollah accepted a US-drafted proposal, although with some comments.

From BBC

She urged the city to keep its faith-based proposal as originally proposed, because doing so would create “more opportunities for congregations to build housing, especially in high-resource communities.”

From Los Angeles Times

Greene's House colleagues did not rush to back her proposal.

From Salon

Related Words

• bid
• idea
• motion
• offer
• outline
• overture
• plan
• program
• project
• proposition
• recommendation
• scheme