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

A promising daily tablet is effective at increasing height and improving proportional limb growth in children with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, according to a new study.

From Science Daily

But unlike any other known pulsar, Medvedev said the Crab Pulsar features a zebra pattern -- unusual band spacing in the electromagnetic spectrum proportional to band frequencies, and other weird features like high polarization and stability.

From Science Daily

But proportional underenrollment of students of color led the district to relax its requirements for entry before it recently reversed course.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

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

Related Words

• commensurate
• corresponding
• reciprocal