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proportion

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noun British English pronunciation: proportion /prəˈpɔː(r)ʃ(ə)n/ 
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singularproportion
pluralproportions
  1. 1
    [countable] maths 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  proportionThesaurus 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 roads has changed dramatically.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  proportionThesaurus 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  proportionThesaurus 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  proportionThesaurus 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  proportionThesaurus entry for this meaning of proportion

phrases

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

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