proportionality
gb/pɹəpˌɔɹʃənˈælɪti/ us/pɹəpˌɔɹʃənˈælɪti/
C1
English
arányosság
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
arányosság
C1
Usage pattern:
the proportionality of [something] to [something]; proportionality between [things]; questions of proportionality
Critics questioned the proportionality of a ten-year sentence for a nonviolent offence.
A bírálók megkérdőjelezték egy erőszakmentes bűncselekményért kiszabott tízéves büntetés arányosságát.
The debate was less about security than about proportionality: was the ban too broad for the risk?
A vita kevésbé a biztonságról, mint inkább az arányosságról szólt: nem volt-e túl széles körű a tilalom a kockázathoz képest?
The report found little proportionality between the company's penalties and the employees' mistakes.
Learner examples
The punishment raised questions of proportionality.
Kérdések merültek fel a büntetés arányosságával kapcsolatban.
We need proportionality in our response.
A reakciónknak arányosnak kell lennie.
Common mistake:
In everyday English, proportion or balance is often more natural than proportionality unless you are discussing law, policy, punishment, or formal judgment.
Meaning
appropriate relative balance
Collocations
the proportionality of the response
|proportionality of the sentence
|questions of proportionality
|concerns about proportionality
|lack of proportionality
|proportionality and fairness
|proportionality and necessity
|proportionality assessment
|proportionality review
|sense of proportionality
Synonyms
balance (more general and less formal)
|
proportion (more common for size, amount, or relative scale)
|
appropriateness (focuses on being suitable rather than specifically relative in degree)
Antonyms
disproportionality (the state of being excessive or not properly balanced)
|
imbalance (a more general lack of proper relation between parts or responses)
|
excessiveness (focuses on going beyond what is reasonable)
Themes
law
|ethics
|policy
|judgment
Definition
the idea that something should be the right size, level, or strength compared with something else
The quality of being reasonable in size, degree, seriousness, or force in relation to something else, especially so that a response is not excessive.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
arányosság
B2
Usage pattern:
proportionality between [quantity] and [quantity]; [quantity] is in direct/inverse proportionality to [quantity]
In this equation, proportionality means that doubling x also doubles y.
Ebben az egyenletben az arányosság azt jelenti, hogy ha x-et megduplázzuk, y is megduplázódik.
The data suggest a direct proportionality between force and acceleration.
Az adatok egyenes arányosságot sugallnak az erő és a gyorsulás között.
Students learned how to identify proportionality from a constant ratio.
Learner examples
If x and y have proportionality, their ratio stays the same.
Ha x és y arányosak, a hányadosuk állandó marad.
The graph shows proportionality between distance and time.
A grafikon a távolság és az idő közötti arányosságot mutatja.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse proportionality with probability; proportionality is about ratios, not chance.
Meaning
constant ratio between quantities
Collocations
direct proportionality
|inverse proportionality
|constant of proportionality
|proportionality constant
|proportionality relation
|proportionality factor
|linear proportionality
|test for proportionality
|show proportionality
|establish proportionality
Synonyms
proportional relationship (clearer and more common in general explanations)
|
fixed ratio (emphasizes the numerical ratio rather than the relationship itself)
|
proportional relation (slightly technical alternative)
Antonyms
nonproportionality (absence of a constant proportional relationship)
|
disproportionality (a mismatch in expected relative amounts or ratios)
|
independence (used when one quantity does not depend on another)
Themes
mathematics
|science
|education
Definition
a relationship where quantities change together in a fixed ratio
A mathematical relationship in which two quantities keep a constant ratio as they change.
Grammar
Dictionary form
proportionality
IPA
GB/pɹəpˌɔɹʃənˈælɪti/
US/pɹəpˌɔɹʃənˈælɪti/
Syllables & stress
pro - por - tion - al - ity (5 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (al)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: proportionality
- Plural: proportionalities, proportionality
Expressions
constant of proportionality
1/kˈɑnstənt əv pɹəpˌɔɹʃənˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
fixed proportional multiplier
the number that connects two proportional amounts
Examples
- In y = 5x, the constant of proportionality is 5.
- To find the constant of proportionality, divide y by x for any pair in the table.
- The units of the constant of proportionality depend on the quantities being compared.
Learner examples
- The constant of proportionality is 4.
- Divide y by x to find the constant of proportionality.
direct proportionality
1/dɪɹˈɛkt pɹəpˌɔɹʃənˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
same ratio between quantities
a relationship where one amount doubles if the other doubles, triples if the other triples, and so on
Examples
- The graph is a straight line through the origin, which shows direct proportionality.
- There is direct proportionality between the cost and the number of identical tickets bought.
- In the formula y = 3x, the direct proportionality constant is 3.
Learner examples
- If x doubles and y doubles, there may be direct proportionality.
- The price shows direct proportionality to the number of notebooks.
inverse proportionality
1/ɪnvˈɚs pɹəpˌɔɹʃənˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
reciprocal ratio between quantities
a relationship where one amount halves if the other doubles, so the product stays the same
Examples
- At a constant distance, travel time has an inverse proportionality to speed.
- The experiment demonstrated inverse proportionality between pressure and volume.
- Students often confuse inverse proportionality with any downward-sloping graph.
Learner examples
- If speed doubles, time halves; that is inverse proportionality.
- The table shows inverse proportionality.
principle of proportionality
1/pɹˈɪnsəpəl əv pɹəpˌɔɹʃənˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
legal
legal rule of balance
a rule that a response or restriction must not be stronger than necessary
Examples
- The judge said the curfew violated the principle of proportionality.
- International humanitarian law requires the principle of proportionality in attacks.
- The policy was revised to comply with the principle of proportionality.
Learner examples
- The court applied the principle of proportionality.
- The punishment must follow the principle of proportionality.
proportionality test
1/pɹəpˌɔɹʃənˈælɪti tˈɛst/
fixed phrase
legal
legal proportionality assessment
a legal check to see whether a restriction is justified and not too severe
Examples
- The court applied a proportionality test to the search policy.
- Under the proportionality test, the city had to show that the restriction went no further than necessary.
- The measure failed the proportionality test because less restrictive options were available.
Learner examples
- The law failed the proportionality test.
- The judge used a proportionality test.
sense of proportionality
1/sˈɛns əv pɹəpˌɔɹʃənˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
judgment about proper scale
the ability to see how serious something really is and react in a reasonable way
Examples
- She has a strong sense of proportionality and avoids turning small errors into crises.
- The reaction to the tweet showed no sense of proportionality.
- A good manager needs a sense of proportionality when dealing with minor mistakes.
Learner examples
- He lost his sense of proportionality over a small problem.
- Try to keep a sense of proportionality.