Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

proportion

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun American English pronunciation: proportion /prəˈpɔrʃ(ə)n/ 
Word Forms
Close
singularproportion
pluralproportions
  1. 1
    [countable] math a quantity of something that is a part or share of the whole
    proportion of:

    Only a small proportion of graduates fail to find employment.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of proportion
    1. a.
      [uncountable] the relationship between two or more quantities or parts of a whole
      the proportion of something to something:

      The proportion of trucks to cars on the road has changed dramatically.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of proportion
  2. 2
    [uncountable] the correct, most useful, or most attractive relationship between things

    Genovese's work shows a wonderful sense of proportion and design.

    in proportion:

    Everything about the room is beautifully in proportion.

    in proportion to/with something:

    His head is large in proportion to his small frame.

    out of proportion (to/with something):

    The figures in the painting are completely out of proportion with their surroundings.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of proportion
  3. 3

    proportions

     [plural] the size or shape of something

    a chair of graceful proportions

    The tree can grow to massive proportions.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of proportion
  4. 4

    proportions

     [plural] the degree of importance of something

    a disaster of catastrophic proportions

    The story began to take on mythic proportions.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of proportion

phrases

This is the American English definition of proportion. View British English definition of proportion.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for proportion.

 

hypnobirthing

the process of giving birth to a baby using hypnosis techniques …

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

flat racing

horse racing on flat ground with no fences or jumping

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog