- proportion */*/*/
- UK [prəˈpɔː(r)ʃ(ə)n] / US [prəˈpɔrʃ(ə)n]
noun
Word forms "proportion":
singular proportion plural proportions1)a) [countable] maths a quantity of something that is a part or share of the wholeproportion of:Only a small proportion of graduates fail to find employment.
b) [uncountable] the relationship between two or more quantities or parts of a wholethe proportion of something to something:The proportion of trucks to cars on the roads has changed dramatically.
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Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with proportion
▪ considerable, greater, high, higher, large, significant, small, substantial2) [uncountable] the correct, most useful, or most attractive relationship between thingsin proportion:Genovese's work shows a wonderful sense of proportion and design.
in proportion to/with something:Everything about the room is beautifully in proportion.
out of proportion (to/with something):His head is large in proportion to his small frame.
The figures in the painting are completely out of proportion with their surroundings.
3) proportions[plural] the size or shape of somethinga chair of graceful proportions
The tree can grow to massive proportions.
4) proportions[plural] the degree of importance of somethinga disaster of catastrophic proportions
The story began to take on mythic proportions.
•blow something up out of (all) proportion
— to make a situation seem much worse than it really isThe incident has been blown up out of proportion.
out of (all) proportion (to something)
— if a reaction or result is out of all proportion, it is too strong or serious for the thing or situation that has caused itThe publicity the exhibition has received is out of all proportion to its actual quality.
English dictionary. 2014.