English

commensurate

gb/kəmˈɛnsɚɪt/ us/kəmˈɛnsɚɪt/
C1 English
Senses
0 senses
adjective formal C1 property
1

proportionate; matching in degree

having the right size or level compared to something else

Usage pattern: commensurate with [something]
Common mistake:
Often confused with “commemorate.” Also, “commensurate with” is more common than “commensurate to.”
Synonyms
proportionate (Emphasizes the correct ratio or balance.) | corresponding (Emphasizes matching or equivalence between two things.) | appropriate (More general; stresses suitability rather than strict proportion.) | in line with (More conversational; focuses on agreement with expectations.)
Antonyms
disproportionate (Not in the right proportion to something else.) | out of proportion (Noticeably too large or too small relative to something.)
Collocations
commensurate with |commensurate pay |commensurate salary |commensurate compensation |commensurate benefits |commensurate risk |commensurate responsibility |commensurate effort |commensurate increase |commensurate level
Themes
business |work |measurement |evaluation
Examples
  • The pay should be commensurate with the level of responsibility.
  • Any increase in security must be commensurate with the actual risk.
  • She received a bonus commensurate with her performance this year.
Learner examples
  • My salary is commensurate with my experience.
  • The price is not commensurate with the quality.
adjective technical C2 property
2

having a common unit of measure

able to be measured using the same unit

Usage pattern: [two quantities] are commensurate
Common mistake:
This technical meaning is different from the common meaning “proportionate.”
Synonyms
measurable by a common unit (More explicit; often used to explain the concept.)
Antonyms
incommensurate (Not measurable by a common unit; ratio is irrational.)
Collocations
commensurate quantities |commensurate lengths |commensurate magnitudes |mutually commensurate |commensurate measures
Themes
math |measurement |technical
Examples
  • In Euclidean geometry, two line segments are commensurate if a shorter segment measures both exactly.
  • If two lengths are commensurate, their ratio can be expressed as a fraction.
  • The paper distinguishes between commensurate and incommensurate magnitudes.
Grammar
Dictionary form
commensurate
IPA
GB/kəmˈɛnsɚɪt/
US/kəmˈɛnsɚɪt/
Syllables & stress
com - men - sur - ate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (men)
Word forms
Adjective
  • Base: commensurate
Word family
Core family
commensurately adverb C1
Related words
commensurable adjective
Negative and opposite forms
incommensurate adjective incommensurable adjective
Advanced or less common
commensurability noun incommensurability noun
Expressions

commensurate to

1
/kəmˈɛnsɚɪt tə/
fixed phrase formal

matching; proportionate to

to match something in level or size

Examples
  • The role demands a salary commensurate to the required expertise.
  • They argued that the budget should be commensurate to the scope of the project.

commensurate with

1
/kəmˈɛnsɚɪt wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase formal

in proportion to; matching

to match something in level or size

Examples
  • The company offers a benefits package commensurate with industry standards.
  • His authority should be commensurate with his accountability.
  • The punishment was not commensurate with the offense.

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