proportion
gb/pɹəpˈɔɹʃən/ us/pɹəpˈɔɹʃən/
A2
Anglais
~ 1300
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B1
relation
1
relative amount or size
How much one thing is compared to another thing or to the whole.
Schéma d’usage :
the proportion of [something] to [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'proportion' with 'portion'. 'Portion' means a part or serving, while 'proportion' is about the relationship between parts and the whole.
Synonymes
ratio (Mathematical term often used for numerical comparison; 'proportion' can be broader.)
Antonymes
imbalance (Refers to a lack of correct or equal proportions.)
Collocations
large proportion
|small proportion
|high proportion
|proportion of students
|in proportion
|out of proportion
Thèmes
mathematics
|measurement
|statistics
|core_vocabulary
|science
Exemples
- A large proportion of the budget is spent on salaries.
- Only a small proportion of the population supports the policy.
- The proportion of men to women in the class is about equal.
- In this recipe, the proportion of sugar to flour is two to one.
Exemples pédagogiques
- A large proportion of the class is absent.
- Half is a large proportion of the cake.
- The proportion of boys to girls is equal.
- We need the right proportion of milk and water.
Nom
B2
relation
2
balanced arrangement of parts
The way parts of something fit together in a balanced and nice way.
Schéma d’usage :
in proportion to [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may overuse 'symmetry' when they mean 'proportion', especially in design contexts.
Synonymes
symmetry (Focuses more on exact mirroring, whereas proportion is about relative balance.)
Antonymes
distortion (Implies an incorrect or unpleasant change in proportions.)
Collocations
perfect proportion
|keep in proportion
|out of proportion
|good proportions
|architectural proportions
Thèmes
art
|design
|architecture
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Exemples
- The artist captured the human body in perfect proportion.
- This building’s proportions make it very pleasing to the eye.
- Her facial features are in good proportion.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The table has good proportion.
- The house is in proportion with the garden.
- His drawing is out of proportion.
Nom
A2
quantity
3
part or share of a whole
A part or amount compared to the total.
Schéma d’usage :
a proportion of [something]
Synonymes
fraction (More mathematical and precise; 'proportion' can be more general.)
Antonymes
whole (Refers to the complete amount, not a part.)
Collocations
a fair proportion
|a small proportion
|a large proportion
Thèmes
business
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- A fair proportion of the profits will go to charity.
- She spends a large proportion of her time traveling for work.
- Only a small proportion of applicants were accepted.
Exemples pédagogiques
- A small proportion of students passed the test.
- I eat a large proportion of fruit every day.
- A fair proportion of money goes to food.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
proportion
API
GB/pɹəpˈɔɹʃən/
US/pɹəpˈɔɹʃən/
Syllabes et accentuation
pro - por - tion (3 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (por)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: proportion
- Plural: proportion, proportions
Famille de mots
Forms
proportions
noun
Core family
proportional
adjective B2
proportionally
adverb C1
Related words
proportionate
adjective
proportionately
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
disproportionate
adjective C1
disproportionately
adverb
Advanced or less common
proportionality
noun C1
Expressions
blow out of proportion
1/blˈoʊ ˈaʊt əv pɹəpˈɔɹʃən/
idiom
informal
exaggerate importance or seriousness
To make something seem bigger, worse, or more important than it really is.
Exemples
- The argument was blown out of proportion by social media.
- Don’t blow this mistake out of proportion.
in proportion to
1/ˈɪn pɹəpˈɔɹʃən tə/
fixed phrase
matching in degree or ratio to something else
Having an amount, size, or level that matches something else.
Exemples
- Your salary will be in proportion to your experience.
- Punishment should be in proportion to the crime.
out of proportion
1/ˈaʊt əv pɹəpˈɔɹʃən/
fixed phrase
not matching in size or importance appropriately
Too big, too small, or too important compared to something else.
Exemples
- His reaction was out of proportion to the problem.
- The media coverage was blown out of proportion.