proposal
gb/pɹəpˈoʊzəl/ us/pɹəpˈoʊzəl/
A2
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
formal suggestion or plan
An idea or plan that someone suggests for others to think about or decide on.
Usage pattern:
a proposal for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'proposal' with 'proposition'. While similar, 'proposition' can sound more formal in business or academic contexts and may carry additional meanings.
Synonyms
suggestion (Less formal and can be casual, while 'proposal' often implies a more structured or official idea.)
|
offer (Implies presenting something for acceptance, but may not always involve a detailed plan.)
Antonyms
withdrawal (The act of removing a suggestion or plan from consideration.)
|
refusal (The act of rejecting a suggestion or plan.)
Collocations
make a proposal
|accept a proposal
|reject a proposal
|business proposal
|marriage proposal
Themes
business
|politics
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The committee reviewed the proposal before making a decision.
- She submitted a proposal for a new community park.
- His proposal to change the schedule was met with approval.
- We are considering your proposal to expand the business.
- The council voted against the housing proposal.
Learner examples
- I sent my proposal to the teacher.
- We talked about his proposal to move the meeting.
- She made a proposal to start a new club.
- The boss liked my proposal.
- They said yes to our proposal.
Noun
A2
action
2
marriage request
When someone asks another person to marry them.
Usage pattern:
a proposal of marriage
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with general suggestions. In this context, 'proposal' specifically means asking for marriage.
Synonyms
engagement request (A descriptive phrase rather than a single common synonym, more formal and explicit.)
Antonyms
breakup (Ending a romantic relationship, opposite in intent to proposing marriage.)
Collocations
marriage proposal
|romantic proposal
|accept a proposal
|turn down a proposal
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|daily_life
Examples
- He surprised her with a marriage proposal at dinner.
- Her proposal was so touching that he immediately said yes.
- They announced their engagement after the proposal.
- The beach was the perfect place for his romantic proposal.
- She turned down his marriage proposal.
Learner examples
- He made a marriage proposal.
- She said yes to his proposal.
- I saw his romantic proposal on TV.
- They are happy after the proposal.
- Her proposal was in the park.
Grammar
Dictionary form
proposal
IPA
GB/pɹəpˈoʊzəl/
US/pɹəpˈoʊzəl/
Syllables & stress
pro - pos - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pos)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: proposal
- Plural: proposal, proposals
Word family
Forms
proposals
noun
Core family
propose
verb B1
Related words
proposer
noun
proposition
noun B2
Advanced or less common
counterproposal
noun
Expressions
business proposal
1/bˈɪznɪs pɹəpˈoʊzəl/
fixed phrase
formal business plan suggestion
A detailed plan for a business idea that you give to someone for approval or support.
Examples
- She prepared a business proposal for the investors.
- The company rejected his business proposal.
marriage proposal
1/mˈɛɹɪd͡ʒ pɹəpˈoʊzəl/
fixed phrase
asking someone to marry you
When someone asks another person to be their husband or wife.
Examples
- His marriage proposal was a complete surprise.
- They celebrated their engagement after the marriage proposal.