proportionate

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​por·​tion·​ate prə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)nət How to pronounce proportionate (audio)
proportionately adverb

proportionate

2 of 2

verb

pro·​por·​tion·​ate prə-ˈpȯr-shə-ˌnāt How to pronounce proportionate (audio)
proportionated; proportionating

transitive verb

: to make proportionate : proportion

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The shortage of IPOs since 2022 has meant that Limited Partners (LPs) - investors who commit capital to venture funds in exchange for a proportionate share of the profits - haven’t gotten liquidity. Maren Thomas Bannon, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 The jury, however, rejected White's defense that his actions were proportionate, given the circumstances. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 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 See all Example Sentences for proportionate 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of proportionate was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near proportionate

Cite this Entry

“Proportionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proportionate. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

proportionate

adjective
pro·​por·​tion·​ate
p(r)ə-ˈpōr-sh(ə-)nət,
-ˈpȯr-
proportionately adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on proportionate

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