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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Proportion: Definition, Usage & Key Differences (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：part or share (proportion)

proportion 🔊

/prəˈpɔːrʃn/

A part or share of something when it is compared to the whole thing.

Proportion illustrated by a slice of cake representing a part of the whole.

part or share 🔊

➕

/pɑːrt ɔːr ʃeər/

Refers to a portion or segment of a whole, indicating how much something constitutes relative to the total.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'proportio', combining 'pro-' (for) and 'portio' (share).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'PRO portion' as a PROfessional way to describe a PORTION of something.

📖 Example

A large proportion of the class chose to work on the science project together. 🔊 A significant number of students in the class decided to collaborate on the science project.

🔗 Collocations

a large proportion of – a significant part of

in proportion to – relative to or corresponding with

out of proportion – exaggerated or not in correct relation

🔄 Synonyms

part (n.) – a piece or segment of a whole

share (n.) – a portion allocated to someone

fraction (n.) – a numerical quantity that is not a whole number

🚫 Antonyms

whole (n.) – the entire amount or extent

entirety (n.) – the state of being complete or total

🌱 Derivatives

proportional (adj.) – corresponding in size or amount to something else

proportionate (adj.) – in proportion; correspondingly

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'proportio', meaning 'comparative relation'. It is key in mathematics for ratios and in art for balance, like the golden ratio in design.

Meaning 2：ratio or relationship (proportion)

proportion 🔊

/prəˈpɔːrʃn/

The relationship between the size, amount, or degree of two things.

Proportion as a ratio shown by mixing lemon juice and water in specific amounts.

ratio or relationship 🔊

➕

/ˈreɪʃioʊ ɔːr rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp/

Describes the comparative relation between two quantities in terms of size, amount, or degree.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The architect paid special attention to the proportion of windows to wall space to make the room feel bright and airy. 🔊 The designer carefully considered the balance between window area and wall surface to enhance the room's ambiance.

🔗 Collocations

proportion of A to B – the ratio or relationship between A and B

sense of proportion – the ability to judge the relative importance of things

keep in proportion – maintain a balanced perspective

🔄 Synonyms

ratio (n.) – the quantitative relation between two amounts

relationship (n.) – the way in which two things are connected

balance (n.) – a state of equilibrium or harmonious arrangement

🚫 Antonyms

imbalance (n.) – lack of proportion or equality

disproportion (n.) – an inequality or lack of symmetry

🌱 Derivatives

proportionality (n.) – the quality of being in proportion

disproportionate (adj.) – too large or small in comparison with something else