ENGLISH
REFERENCE

proposition

n. countable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˌpɹɑpəˈzɪʃən// UK //pɹˌɒpəzˈɪʃən// propo·si·tion Informal Literary

n. a formal suggestion, plan, or idea that someone offers for others to consider. It can also be a statement that people judge as true or false.

n. a formal statement, proposal, or scheme offered for consideration or acceptance. In logic and philosophy, it refers to the underlying meaning of a declarative sentence that is capable of being true or false.


SIMPLE

The company made a business proposition to the new investors.

CONTEXTUAL

The city council rejected the proposition to build a new stadium due to environmental concerns.

COMPLEX

In formal logic, a proposition must be clearly defined so that its truth value can be evaluated without ambiguity or reliance on subjective interpretation.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English proposicioun, from Old French proposicion, from Latin prōpositiō, from the verb prōponō.

Usage

Commonly used in business contexts to mean a deal or offer, and in academic contexts to mean a logical claim.

Pitfall

He made a proposition of marriageHe made a proposal of marriageWhile 'proposition' and 'proposal' both mean a suggestion, 'proposal' is the standard term for an offer of marriage.

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