Definition

1. Noun:

   • A part, share, or number considered in comparative relation to a whole: The relative size, amount, or degree of one thing compared to another.
   • A pleasing or harmonious relation of parts within a whole; symmetry or balance: The correct or desirable relationship between the size, shape, and position of the different parts of something.
   • (Often plural) Dimensions or size: The measurements or scale of something.

2. Verb:

   • To adjust or regulate something so that it has a correct or harmonious relationship to something else in size, amount, or degree.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • A large proportion of the budget is allocated to research. (A significant part of the budget is for research.)
  • The drawing has perfect proportion; every element is balanced. (The drawing is perfectly balanced.)
  • The room's elegant proportions make it feel very spacious. (The room's dimensions make it feel spacious.)

• Verb:

  • The architect proportioned the windows to complement the height of the walls. (The architect sized the windows to match the wall height.)
  • You should try to proportion your spending to your income. (You should adjust your spending based on your income.)

Advanced Usage

• "In proportion to": Corresponding in size, degree, or amount to something else.
  • The punishment should be in proportion to the crime. (The punishment should match the seriousness of the crime.)
• "Out of (all) proportion to": Exaggerated or unreasonable in relation to something.
  • The media coverage was out of all proportion to the actual event. (The coverage was much greater than the event warranted.)
• "Sense of proportion": The ability to judge the relative importance of things.
  • In a crisis, it's important to keep a sense of proportion. (It's important to judge what really matters.)

Variants and Related Words

• Proportional (adj): Corresponding in size, amount, or degree; having a constant ratio.
  • The tax is proportional to your income. (The tax amount is a fixed percentage of your income.)
• Proportionate (adj): Equivalent in size, amount, or degree to something else. (Often used interchangeably with ).
  • They received a proportionate share of the profits. (They received a fair share relative to their contribution.)
• Disproportionate (adj): Too large or too small in comparison with something else.
  • A disproportionate amount of resources was used. (An unfairly large or small amount was used.)

Synonyms

• Noun: Ratio, percentage, fraction, part, share, balance, symmetry, dimensions, scale.
• Verb: Adjust, balance, harmonize, scale, correlate.

Related Phrases

• "Blow something out of proportion" (Idiom): To react to something as if it were much more important or serious than it really is.
  • It was a minor mistake, but the boss blew it out of proportion. (The boss overreacted to a small error.)
• "Keep things in proportion" (Phrase): To maintain a sensible view of the relative importance of things.
  • When you're stressed, try to keep things in proportion. (Try to see the bigger picture and not over-focus on problems.)

Noun

1. harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design)
   • in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance- John Ruskin
2. the relation between things (or parts of things) with respect to their comparative quantity, magnitude, or degree
   • an inordinate proportion of the book is given over to quotations
   • a dry martini has a large proportion of gin
3. balance among the parts of something
4. magnitude or extent
   • a building of vast proportions
5. the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole

Verb

1. adjust in size relative to other things
2. give pleasant proportions to
   • harmonize a building with those surrounding it