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

The mandatory repatriation tax is a one-time tax targeting U.S. taxpayers who hold shares of certain foreign corporations and requires them to pay a levy on their proportionate share of the company's earnings. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 7 May 2024

By Thursday, four diplomatic and government sources in the region were expressing confidence that the response would be limited and proportionate. —Samia Nakhoul, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024

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