Proportion

/prəˈpɔːr.ʃən/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A portion of a whole; a ratio.

The recipe requires a proportion of flour to sugar that must be precise.

A part, share, or number considered in comparative relation to a whole.

The proportion of students who passed the exam was higher this year than last.

Balanced or harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements.

The artist achieved a sense of proportion in the painting that made it visually appealing.

verb

To make proportionate; to adjust in size or amount.

The architect will proportion the rooms to ensure they all have adequate space.

To determine the proportion or ratio of.

You need to proportion the ingredients carefully for the cake to rise properly.

Middle English: from Old French proportion, from Latin proportio(n-) 'a comparing, relation', from pro- 'forward' + portio 'part, share'.

in proportion

In relation to something else.

proportionate to

Corresponding in size or amount to something else.

out of proportion

Not in correct relation to something else; exaggerated.

ratio

A quantitative relationship between two numbers showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other.

fraction

A numerical quantity that is not a whole number, representing a part of a whole.