Word
disproportionate
Phoneticsdis·pro·por·tion·ate, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌdɪspɹəˈpɔɹʃənɪt/
UK/dˌɪspɹəpˈɔːʃənət/
Definition
adj. too large or too small when you compare it to something else. It describes a situation where things are not in balance.
adj. out of proportion; of an amount or size that is too large or too small in relation to something else. Often used to describe social or economic imbalances.
Examples
“The punishment was disproportionate to the crime.”
“A disproportionate amount of the city's budget is spent on road repairs compared to public education.”
“The study revealed that low-income families spend a disproportionate share of their earnings on basic utilities, leaving little room for savings or emergency expenses.”
Examples
simple
“The punishment was disproportionate to the crime.”
contextual
“A disproportionate amount of the city's budget is spent on road repairs compared to public education.”
complex
“The study revealed that low-income families spend a disproportionate share of their earnings on basic utilities, leaving little room for savings or emergency expenses.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “disproportionate” in context.
Usage
Commonly followed by the preposition 'to'. Often used in formal or academic contexts to discuss statistics and social justice.
Pitfall
a disproportionate amount from the total
a disproportionate amount of the total
When describing a part of a whole, use 'of'; when comparing two different things, use 'to'.
Real-World Examples
“Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said the reforms would ensure workers are "fairly paid" but business groups said the cost to employers was "disproportionate" compared to how much it would help workers.” “Children are bearing a disproportionate share of the burden.” Etymology
From dis- + proportionate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/disproportionate