proposition

proposition — noun

1. A formal offer or suggestion put forward for someone to consider, especially in

1.nounB1
Definition

A formal offer or suggestion put forward for someone to consider, especially in business or financial situations.

Example

Arjun made a business proposition to his investors during the meeting.

collocation: make a proposition

The board is still discussing whether to accept the merger proposition from the other company.

collocation: accept/reject a proposition

Common collocations
  • make a proposition
  • put forward a proposition
  • accept a proposition
  • reject a proposition
  • business proposition
  • financial proposition
Synonyms
  • offer

    less formal and broader in use; can apply to any situation, not just business

  • proposal

    very similar but slightly more formal; used for plans that are fully developed

  • suggestion

    less forceful; does not carry the same sense of a structured business deal

Grammar Patterns

proposition + to + infinitive

proposition + about + noun phrase

Usage Note

This is the most common sense of 'proposition' in everyday English. It is frequently used with verbs like 'make', 'put forward', 'accept', and 'reject'.

Common Mistakes

I have a proposition to you.
I have a proposition for you.
'proposition' takes the preposition 'for', not 'to', when followed by a person.

2. A specific opinion that someone puts forward for others to consider, especially

2.nounB2
Definition

A specific opinion that someone puts forward for others to consider, especially during a discussion or argument.

Example

Layla's central proposition was that education should be free for everyone.

proposition + that-clause for stating an opinion

The philosopher spent an hour defending her proposition about the nature of freedom.

Common collocations
  • central proposition
  • put forward a proposition
  • defend a proposition
  • challenge a proposition
Synonyms
  • assertion

    more forceful; suggests the speaker is confident but may lack proof

  • thesis

    used especially in academic writing; the main argument of an essay or paper

  • contention

    implies the opinion will likely be disputed by others

Grammar Patterns

proposition + that-clause

3. In logic or mathematics, a complete statement that is verifiably correct or inco

3.nounB2
Definition

In logic or mathematics, a complete statement that is verifiably correct or incorrect, often needing a step-by-step proof.

Example

Greta had to prove a geometric proposition about triangles for her math homework.

collocation: prove a proposition

The mathematician wrote a paper containing fifty new propositions and their proofs.

passive: propositions + their proofs

Common collocations
  • prove a proposition
  • logical proposition
  • mathematical proposition
  • geometric proposition
Synonyms
  • theorem

    a proposition that has already been proved; not all propositions are theorems

  • statement

    broader and less technical; used outside of logic and math

  • lemma

    a smaller proposition used to help prove a larger theorem

Usage Note

In formal logic and mathematics, a proposition is a complete statement that has a truth value — it is either true or false, but not both.

4. In some US states, a proposed new law or change to an existing law that citizens

4.nounB2
Definition

In some US states, a proposed new law or change to an existing law that citizens vote on directly.

Example

Californians will vote on Proposition 23, a new law about environmental rules.

named proposition + number (US ballot measure)

Voters in several states approved propositions that changed the way elections are run.

Common collocations
  • vote on a proposition
  • support a proposition
  • oppose a proposition
  • put a proposition on the ballot
  • Proposition + number
Synonyms
  • referendum

    broader term used in many countries; a direct vote by the public on a policy

  • ballot measure

    more neutral term; refers to any item voters decide on at the polls

  • initiative

    a specific type of proposition put forward by citizens, not by the legislature

Usage Note

This sense is almost exclusively American English. In other varieties of English, words like 'referendum' or 'ballot measure' are more common. Ballot propositions are often numbered (e.g., Proposition 13).

5. A situation, task, or problem that has particular characteristics and must be de

5.nounB2
Definition

A situation, task, or problem that has particular characteristics and must be dealt with in some way.

Example

Finding an affordable flat in London is a difficult proposition for most young people.

collocation: adjective + proposition (difficult proposition)

The new job came with a good salary but the long hours made it an unattractive proposition.

Common collocations
  • difficult proposition
  • attractive proposition
  • tough proposition
  • different proposition
  • interesting proposition
Synonyms
  • task

    simpler and more direct; less commonly used with descriptive adjectives

  • prospect

    focuses on the future possibility rather than the task itself

  • undertaking

    suggests something large or ambitious; more formal

Grammar Patterns

adjective + proposition

Usage Note

This sense is often used with an adjective before 'proposition' to describe the nature of the task. Common adjective pairings include: 'difficult', 'tough', 'attractive', 'interesting', 'different', 'simple'.

6. A direct and often unwanted request for sex made to someone who is not in a roma

6.nounC1
Definition

A direct and often unwanted request for sex made to someone who is not in a romantic relationship with the person asking.

Example

The manager was fired after a colleague reported his inappropriate proposition.

euphemistic use in formal reporting

Adina made it clear that any romantic proposition from coworkers would not be welcome.

Common collocations
  • make a proposition
  • unwanted proposition
  • inappropriate proposition
  • romantic proposition
Synonyms
  • advance

    softer and slightly less direct; often used in the plural: 'advances'

  • solicitation

    more formal; used in legal contexts

Usage Note

In this sense, 'proposition' often describes an unwanted or inappropriate request. Using this word can be considered direct or even offensive in some contexts. The verb form (see below) is more common in informal speech. The phrase 'make someone a proposition' can be ambiguous — context determines whether it means a business offer or a sexual request.

Common Mistakes

He asked her out on a date.' (using 'proposition' for a simple invitation)
He asked her out.
A regular invitation for a date is not a 'proposition', which implies a direct request for sexual activity.

proposition — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words describe presenting an idea for someone else to consider, but they differ in formality and context. 'Offer' is the most general and informal word — you can offer help, a job, or a price, and it often has a concrete, immediate quality. 'Proposal' is more formal and implies a carefully developed plan, such as a marriage proposal or a business proposal that includes detailed reasoning. 'Proposition' overlaps with 'proposal' in business contexts but adds a sense of a deal or bargain — a proposition is something you can accept or reject, and it often carries financial or strategic weight. For example, you might receive a job offer (informal, immediate), read a funding proposal (formal, detailed), or consider a merger proposition (strategic, negotiable). 'Suggestion' is the lightest of the four — it is a casual idea that may or may not be acted upon.

offer ↗proposal ↗suggestion ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • business proposition
  • financial proposition
  • merger proposition
  • ballot proposition

Adverbs

  • directly proposition someone
  • openly proposition someone
  • repeatedly proposition someone

Phrases

  • make someone a proposition
  • put forward a proposition
  • accept a proposition
  • reject a proposition

Prepositions

  • proposition for someone
  • proposition about something

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'proposition' comes from Latin 'propositio', meaning 'a statement or setting forth'. It entered English through Old French 'proposicion' in the 1300s, originally used in logic and rhetoric to mean a statement put forward for discussion. By the 1400s, it had broadened to include any offer or proposal. The sexual sense emerged in the early 1900s in American English, moving from the general idea of 'making an offer' to the specific context of sexual advances.