proportionate

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​por·​tion·​ate prə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)nət 

: proportional sense 1

proportionately adverb

proportionate

2 of 2

verb

pro·​por·​tion·​ate prə-ˈpȯr-shə-ˌnāt 

proportionated; proportionating

transitive verb

: to make proportionate : proportion

Synonyms

Adjective

• commensurable
• commensurate
• proportional

Examples of proportionate in a Sentence

Adjective

Each investor will receive a proportionate share of the profits.

expect financial returns proportionate to your efforts

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In the Elizabethan period, when a poet’s relationship with the muses was perceived as directly proportionate to their success in romance, loving attention was paid to their invocation in rhythm and rhyme. —Alison Habens, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2024

Although the finishing line is in sight, news media still has the opportunity to give both presidential candidates a fair and proportionate voice and focus on the most important issues before Americans cast their votes on Nov. 5. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2024

Verb

France’s two-round voting system is complex and not proportionate to the nationwide support for a party. —Sylvie Corbet, BostonGlobe.com, 12 June 2022

The two-round voting system is complex and not proportionate to the nationwide support for a party. —Bradford Betz, Fox News, 12 June 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English proporcionate, borrowed from Medieval Latin prōportiōnātus, past participle of prōportiōnāre "to compose according to proportions, make proportional" — more at proportion entry 2

Verb

in part derivative of proportionate entry 1, in part borrowed from Medieval Latin prōportiōnātus, past participle of prōportiōnāre "to compose according to proportions, make proportional" — more at proportion entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1570, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

proportionate

adjective

pro·​por·​tion·​ate

p(r)ə-ˈpōr-sh(ə-)nət,

-ˈpȯr-

: proportional sense 1

proportionately adverb