proposition
gb/pɹˌɑpəzˈɪʃən/ us/pɹˌɑpəzˈɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 8800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
suggested plan or offer
A plan or offer that someone gives you so you can decide if you want it or not, often in business or work.
Usage pattern:
a [business] proposition for/to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners often use *proposition* instead of *proposal* in everyday situations like weddings or school events. In most casual contexts, *proposal* is more common (e.g., *marriage proposal*, not *marriage proposition*). *Proposition* often sounds more formal or business-related.
Synonyms
proposal (Very close in meaning, but often slightly more neutral; proposition can sound more businesslike or strategic.)
Antonyms
rejection (Refers to the act of saying no to a proposition, the opposite response to accepting or considering it.)
Collocations
business proposition
|interesting proposition
|attractive proposition
|put forward a proposition
|consider a proposition
|reject a proposition
Themes
business
|work
|communication
Examples
- They came to us with a business proposition that could double our profits.
- The peace proposition was welcomed by most of the international community.
- I have a proposition for you: you handle sales, and I’ll take care of production.
- Her lawyer made a proposition to settle the case out of court.
- The company rejected the merger proposition after weeks of negotiation.
Learner examples
- He made a business proposition to his friend.
- The government put forward a new tax proposition.
- I cannot accept this proposition without more information.
- Their proposition sounds good, but it is risky.
- The manager listened to my proposition about working from home.
Noun
B2
entity
2
task or situation to handle
A thing you must do or deal with, thought of as easy, hard, good, or bad.
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] proposition
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this use with the ‘offer’ meaning and try to say *make a tough proposition* when they actually mean *face a tough situation*. Here, *proposition* is usually used with an adjective to describe how difficult or easy something is, not as something you give to someone.
Synonyms
undertaking (Very similar, but slightly more formal and focused on the act of doing something rather than judging it.)
Antonyms
breeze (Informal term for something very easy, often used as the opposite of a tough or difficult proposition.)
Collocations
tough proposition
|daunting proposition
|risky proposition
|expensive proposition
|a different proposition
|a tricky proposition
Themes
work
|daily life
|daily_life
Examples
- Raising three children on a single income is a tough proposition.
- Running a restaurant in this part of town is a risky proposition.
- Teaching teenagers can be challenging, but teaching toddlers is a completely different proposition.
- Building a house yourself is an expensive proposition these days.
- Climbing that mountain in winter is a daunting proposition for any climber.
Learner examples
- Living alone in a new country is a scary proposition.
- Driving in heavy snow is a dangerous proposition.
- For many people, starting a business is an exciting proposition.
- Learning a new language at 60 is a big proposition.
- Working at night is a very different proposition from working in the day.
Verb
informal
C1
action
3
make a sexual advance
To ask someone, often a stranger, to have sex with you in a very direct way.
Usage pattern:
to proposition [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *proposition* as a verb is neutral, like *suggest*. In fact, it is usually about sex and often sounds negative or inappropriate. Do not use it when you mean to politely *propose an idea* or *suggest a plan*.
Synonyms
hit on (Informal phrasal verb for flirting or making sexual advances; often sounds lighter and less blunt than proposition.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately pay no romantic or sexual attention, the opposite of making a direct sexual approach.)
Collocations
proposition a woman
|proposition a stranger
|drunkenly proposition
|sexually proposition
|proposition someone in a bar
Themes
relationships
|sex
Examples
- She complained that a coworker had repeatedly propositioned her at office parties.
- He was thrown out of the club after trying to proposition several women.
- A man in the hotel lobby propositioned her, and she immediately reported it to security.
- The actress said she had been propositioned by a powerful producer early in her career.
- He claimed he was only joking, but the way he propositioned her made everyone uncomfortable.
Learner examples
- She felt upset after a man on the street propositioned her.
- He got drunk and started to proposition women in the bar.
- The worker said her boss had propositioned her many times.
- It is not okay to proposition someone at work.
- The actor was in the news after he was accused of propositioning a fan.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
4
truth-evaluable statement or claim
A sentence or idea that says something that can be true or false, often used in study of logic or in formal writing.
Usage pattern:
the proposition that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this use with a simple *opinion*. In academic English, *proposition* suggests a more formal, testable, or logically structured claim than a casual opinion.
Synonyms
statement (A very general term; proposition is more formal and usually used when truth or logic is being discussed explicitly.)
Antonyms
contradiction (A statement that directly denies another proposition, functioning as its logical opposite.)
Collocations
the proposition that
|logical proposition
|central proposition
|test the proposition
|support the proposition
|prove the proposition
Themes
academia
|philosophy
|science
|education
Examples
- The book defends the proposition that democracy cannot survive without a free press.
- In logic, a proposition is something that can be either true or false, but not both.
- The scientist tested the proposition that the drug would reduce blood pressure in older patients.
- This argument rests on the dubious proposition that people always act rationally.
- Students were asked to analyze whether each sentence expressed a single clear proposition.
Learner examples
- The writer supports the proposition that money does not bring happiness.
- In this class, you will learn what a logical proposition is.
- We tested the proposition that exercise helps people sleep better.
- Her main proposition is that children learn best through play.
- I do not agree with the proposition that all people are selfish.
Noun
C1
entity
5
public-vote proposed law
In some places, a plan for a new law with a number, which people vote on in an election.
Usage pattern:
Proposition [number]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that *Proposition* with a capital P and a number (e.g., *Proposition 8*) is a specific legal term in some U.S. states, not just a general *idea* or *offer*.
Synonyms
ballot measure (Very close in meaning, especially in U.S. English; a broader term that includes propositions and similar public-vote items.)
Antonyms
status quo (Refers to keeping the law unchanged, the opposite of passing a proposition to change it.)
Collocations
Proposition 13
|vote on Proposition 8
|state proposition
|ballot proposition
|pass a proposition
|defeat a proposition
Themes
politics
|law
Examples
- Voters will decide the fate of Proposition 22 in November.
- The campaign for Proposition 13 spent millions on television ads.
- Environmental groups opposed the proposition because it weakened pollution controls.
- He volunteered to hand out flyers in support of Proposition 5.
- The court later ruled that the proposition violated the state constitution.
Learner examples
- People in the state will vote on Proposition 10 next week.
- She is against Proposition 3 because it cuts school money.
- Many young people marched to protest the new proposition.
- The TV news explained what Proposition 2 would change.
- Proposition 7 passed, so the tax rules will change.
Noun
technical
C2
entity
6
supporting side in a debate
In a formal debate, the team that supports the main statement and argues for it.
Usage pattern:
the proposition and the opposition
Common mistake:
Learners may think *proposition* here means *proposal* in a general sense. In debating, it is a fixed label for the side that supports the motion.
Synonyms
affirmative (Used especially in American debate; also means the side that supports the motion.)
Antonyms
opposition (The side in a debate that argues against the motion, directly opposing the proposition.)
Collocations
the proposition argued that
|members of the proposition
|proposition and opposition
|proposition team
|lead speaker for the proposition
Themes
academia
|communication
|education
Examples
- The proposition argued that social media does more harm than good.
- Time will be divided equally between the proposition and the opposition.
- As leader of the proposition, she opened the debate with a clear definition of the motion.
- The judges praised the structure of the proposition’s case but criticized their weak evidence.
- Members of the proposition must present at least three main arguments in support of the motion.
Learner examples
- In this debate, our team is the proposition.
- The proposition must explain why the motion is good.
- The teacher asked the proposition to give its first argument.
- The opposition asked a hard question to the proposition.
- The proposition and the opposition each have ten minutes to speak.
Grammar
Dictionary form
proposition
IPA
GB/pɹˌɑpəzˈɪʃən/
US/pɹˌɑpəzˈɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
pro - pos - i - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (i)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: proposition
- Plural: propositions
Verb
- Base: proposition
- 3rd Person Singular: propositions
- Present Participle: propositioning
- Past: propositioned
Word family
Expressions
a different proposition
1/ə dˈɪfɹənt pɹˌɑpəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
very different kind of situation
A task or situation that is not like the one before and may be harder, easier, or needs a new way of thinking.
Examples
- Teaching adults online is one thing; teaching children in person is a completely different proposition.
- Cycling to work in summer is easy, but doing it in the snow is a different proposition.
- Managing five people is one thing, but managing fifty is a very different proposition.
business proposition
1/bˈɪznɪs pɹˌɑpəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
plan or offer for business
A plan or offer to start or change a business activity, usually for making money.
Examples
- He approached her with a business proposition involving a new restaurant.
- It sounded like a risky business proposition, so we decided not to invest.
- They are looking for partners for an exciting new business proposition in renewable energy.
proposition someone
1/pɹˌɑpəzˈɪʃən sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
informal
ask someone directly for sex
To go to a person and directly ask them to have sex with you.
Examples
- He was fired after he tried to proposition a client at a company event.
- A stranger propositioned her on the street, and she quickly walked away.
- She accused her boss of propositioning her during a work trip.
value proposition
1/vˈælju pɹˌɑpəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
main benefits promised to customers
The main reason a customer should buy a product or service, shown as the special benefits it gives them.
Examples
- Their value proposition is simple: high-quality shoes at half the usual price.
- A clear value proposition helps customers understand why they should choose your brand.
- The startup struggled because it never defined a strong value proposition.
an attractive proposition
1/ən ətɹˈæktɪv pɹˌɑpəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
appealing offer or situation
A plan, offer, or situation that seems very good and makes you want to accept it.
Examples
- Working from home full-time is an attractive proposition for many employees.
- Living by the sea all year is an attractive proposition.
- For investors, the company's growth makes it an attractive proposition.
- For many workers, flexible hours are an attractive proposition.
- The salary made the job an attractive proposition despite the long commute.