proportionally
gb/pɹəpˈɔɹʃənəli/ us/pɹəpˈɔɹʃənəli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
C1
relation
1
in the same ratio
in the same ratio as something else
Usage pattern:
[something] changes proportionally (to/with [something])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use proportionally when they mean only “equally” or “fairly”; it specifically means “in the same ratio.”
Synonyms
proportionately (Closest synonym; often interchangeable in formal writing.)
|
in proportion (A phrase with the same meaning; common in explanations.)
Antonyms
disproportionately (Not in the same ratio; more or less than expected in proportion.)
Collocations
increase proportionally
|decrease proportionally
|change proportionally
|grow proportionally
|vary proportionally
|rise proportionally
|fall proportionally
|proportionally to
|proportionally with
|scale proportionally
Themes
math
|business
|data
|everyday_life
Examples
- If you double the recipe, you should proportionally double the amount of salt.
- The discount increases proportionally with the number of units ordered.
- As the screen size gets bigger, the text should scale proportionally.
Learner examples
- The price goes up proportionally with the weight.
- Cut the numbers proportionally.
adverb
C1
relation
2
as a share of the whole
when you compare percentages, not totals
Usage pattern:
[group] is proportionally more/less [adjective] (than [group])
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse proportionally with “proportionately” (usually fine) or with “proportionate” (adjective).
Synonyms
relatively (Broader; does not always imply a percentage or share of a whole.)
|
by comparison (General comparison; weaker sense of ratio.)
Antonyms
absolutely (In total numbers rather than as a share of the whole.)
Collocations
proportionally more likely
|proportionally less likely
|proportionally higher rate
|proportionally lower rate
|proportionally larger share
|proportionally smaller share
|proportionally more common
|proportionally fewer people
|proportionally greater impact
|proportionally smaller impact
Themes
data
|news
|society
|statistics
Examples
- Rural areas have proportionally fewer doctors than cities.
- Women are proportionally more represented in part-time work.
- The startup is small, but it spends proportionally more on research than its competitors.
Learner examples
- This group is proportionally bigger in this city.
- We have proportionally fewer cars than our neighbors.
Grammar
Dictionary form
proportionally
IPA
GB/pɹəpˈɔɹʃənəli/
US/pɹəpˈɔɹʃənəli/
Syllables & stress
pro - por - tion - ally (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (por)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: proportionally
- Plural: proportionallies
Word family
Forms
proportionallies
noun
Core family
proportion
noun B1
proportional
adjective B2
Related words
proportionate
adjective
proportionately
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
proportionality
noun C1
Expressions
decrease proportionally
1/dˈikɹˌis pɹəpˈɔɹʃənəli/
fixed phrase
formal
fall at the same rate
to decrease in the same ratio
Examples
- If the width decreases proportionally, the image won’t look stretched.
- Expenses should decrease proportionally when demand drops.
increase proportionally
1/ˈɪŋkɹis pɹəpˈɔɹʃənəli/
fixed phrase
formal
grow at the same rate
to increase in the same ratio
Examples
- Production costs increase proportionally with output.
- If your income increases proportionally, your tax bill will rise by the same percentage.
proportionally more/less
1/pɹəpˈɔɹʃənəli mˈɔɹˈilɪs/
fixed phrase
a larger/smaller share
a bigger or smaller percentage
Examples
- Older voters are proportionally more likely to turn out.
- This region has proportionally less access to public transport.