proportional

[ pruh-pawr-shuh-nl ]

adjective

1. having due proportion; corresponding.

   Synonyms: proportionate, consonant, accordant, harmonious

2. being in or characterized by proportion.
3. of, relating to, or based on proportion; relative.
4. Mathematics.
   1. (of two quantities) having the same or a constant ratio or relation:

      The quantities y and x are proportional if y/x = k, where k is the constant of proportionality.

   2. (of a first quantity with respect to a second quantity) a constant multiple of:

      The quantity y is proportional to x if y = kx, where k is the constant of proportionality.

proportional

/ prəˈpɔːʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, involving, or being in proportion
2. maths having or related by a constant ratio

noun

1. maths an unknown term in a proportion

   in a/b = c/x, x is the fourth proportional

Derived Forms

• proˈportionally, adverb
• proˌportionˈality, noun

Other Words From

• pro·por·tion·al·i·ty [pr, uh, -pawr-sh, uh, -, nal, -i-tee], noun
• pro·por·tion·al·ly adverb
• in·ter·pro·por·tion·al adjective
• non·pro·por·tion·al adjective
• non·pro·por·tion·al·ly adverb
• sub·pro·por·tion·al adjective
• sub·pro·por·tion·al·ly adverb
• un·pro·por·tion·al adjective
• un·pro·por·tion·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of proportional¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English proporcional, from Latin prōportiōnālis; proportion, -al ¹

Example Sentences

The rest would be nominated by political parties based on the percentage of votes they get in what is known as proportional representation.

From BBC

A few weeks ago, after Iran attacked Israel with missiles, Trump said Israel should “hit the nuclear“—i.e., it should respond by destroying Iran’s nuclear facilities. President Biden persuaded Netanyahu to launch a “proportional” retaliation, which he did, destroying Iranian missile factories, aircraft, and air-defense sites.

From Slate

“I’m not going to do what Gascón has done with many of these people and just pretend their crime has not happened... but their punishment must be proportional to the crime,” Hochman said, invoking the possibility of diversion programs or court-mandate rehabilitation for those who commit offenses while suffering from drug addiction.

From Los Angeles Times

And with proportional RCV, there’s a chance for everyone to elect someone to one of their three local seats who represents their views.

From Salon

But for council, Portland will use a multi-winner, proportional form of RCV that seeks to build consensus in another way – by ensuring a full range of perspectives and communities – whether renters, parents, voters of color, or the business community – have a seat at the table.

From Salon

Related Words

• commensurate
• corresponding
• reciprocal