C2adjectiveformalsciencepolitics
US/prəˈpɔːr.ʃə.nəl/
UK/prəˈpɔː.ʃən.əl/
having the right size or amount in relation to something else; changing at the same rate
In context
The punishment should be proportional to the seriousness of the crime.
Your tax is directly proportional to your income, so higher earners pay more.
The government promised a proportional response to the attack, not an act of revenge.
Words that go with proportional
adverb + adjective
- directly proportionalThe speed of the fall is directly proportional to the weight.
- inversely proportionalPrice and demand are often inversely proportional.
- strictly proportionalThe two quantities are not strictly proportional.
adjective + preposition
- proportional toThe reward was proportional to the risk we took.
adjective + noun
- proportional responseLeaders called for a proportional response.
- proportional representationMany countries use proportional representation in elections.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
proportional withCorrect: proportional to