Words / C1

dispr-uh-PORSH-uh-n-uh-t/ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃənət/

Disproportionate means too large or too small compared with something else: a disproportionate response, a disproportionate share. Excessive is a cousin for “too much”; proportional sits opposite; disparity (already in the dictionary) is the noun of a gap. An abstract of adjectives and no n is out of scale as a methods page.

Meaning

Too large or too small when compared with something else.

Examples

• “A disproportionate abstract of adjectives and no n is still a methods failure.”
• “Excessive is a cousin. Uneven is milder. Proportional is the fit. Style is optional. The count is the finding. Cut the adjectives until the n is in the first paragraph.”

Good to know

Out of scale compared with something. Close: excessive (too much). Opposite: proportional. Noun cousin: disparity (already in the dictionary). Adjectives ≠ an n.

Near in meaning

excessive

New