Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

proposal

American  
[pruh-poh-zuhl] / prəˈpoʊ zəl /

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 British  
/ prəˈpəʊzəl /

noun

  1. the act of proposing

  2. something proposed, as a plan

  3. an offer, esp of marriage

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

  • misproposal noun

Etymology

Origin of proposal

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The proposals for a site on Loch Ailort, a sea loch west of Fort William, had received more than 65 objections.

From BBC

The Journal is worried about the return of subprime loans, but our proposal explicitly prevents that.

From The Wall Street Journal

Merz said last week that two mediators had been tasked with making a proposal by the end of April.

From Barron's

“Simply put, no changes to ordinance proposals would materially reduce prospects of wider scale dilution and would negatively impact shares,” they add.

From The Wall Street Journal

Experts warn, however, that the proposal runs up against geological and economic realities.

From Barron's