WordGarden.iodisproportionately
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /dˌɪsprəpˈɔːʃənətli/
US
- /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔrʃənətli/
Meanings
Adverb
to an extent that is too large or too small compared with something else
Beyond the definition
Imagine dividing a pizza among five people. If one person gets three slices while everyone else gets only half a slice, that person has received a disproportionately large share. It means something isn't distributed fairly or evenly—it is heavily skewed toward one side.
"Disproportionately" often appears when discussing impacts or effects. For example, a disease might disproportionately affect older people, meaning they are significantly more likely to get sick than younger age groups. Similarly, a new tax law might disproportionately burden low-income families. While the word points to an imbalance in how something is distributed or experienced, it doesn't always imply intentional unfairness; think of it as a magnifying glass focusing on one specific part of a larger picture.
The word "disproportionately" describes situations where elements are not balanced or evenly distributed, highlighting a significant mathematical or situational imbalance. It indicates that something happens to, affects, or is represented in a way that is much greater or much smaller than what would be expected based on the overall circumstances.
It is not simply a synonym for "unequal"; it emphasizes a noticeable difference in ratio. For example, saying "Women are disproportionately underrepresented in certain STEM fields" doesn't just mean there are fewer women; it means their numbers are significantly lower than what you would expect given their share of the total population. Similarly, if "The cost of healthcare has risen disproportionately compared to wages," it indicates that healthcare costs have increased at a much faster rate than people's earnings, creating a gap that grows wider over time.
"Disproportionately" is a staple in discussions regarding social issues, statistics, and public policy. You might read about how specific communities are disproportionately affected by pollution or how a particular demographic is disproportionately represented in certain professions. It is a precise tool used to draw attention to imbalances that may require investigation or intervention.
It is important to note that "disproportionately" does not automatically assign blame or imply injustice. It is a descriptive term that points out an uneven distribution. However, identifying these disparities is often the first step in understanding why they exist and determining whether the situation requires a solution. When you encounter this word, think of ratios, scales, and the idea that one part of the whole is receiving much more—or much less—than its fair share.
Examples
- 1
Food prices
Rising food prices hurt low-income families disproportionately.
- 2
Business revenue
A small number of customers generate a disproportionately large share of the company's revenue.
- 3
School discipline
Black students are disproportionately likely to be suspended in some school districts.
- 4
Care work
During the pandemic, care work fell disproportionately on women.
- Patternfall on + person/group
affect or become the responsibility of that person or group
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Business impact
Critics said the new rules would disproportionately benefit large companies over smaller ones.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- unequally
- asymmetrically
- out of proportion
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- disproportionately affected
- disproportionately high
- disproportionately large share
- disproportionately represented
Word family
Explore
- inequality
- overrepresentation
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- disproportionatelyadverb