ratio

ratio is on the Academic Word List.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈreɪ.ʃoʊ/ or /ˈreɪ.ʃiˌoʊ/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈreɪ.ʃi.əʊ/ or /ˈreɪ.ʃəʊ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular ratio

Plural ratios

1. A ratio is the comparison in size or number between two things. It is written ${\displaystyle x:y}$ and read ${\displaystyle x}$ to ${\displaystyle y}$. It is the same as the fraction ${\displaystyle {\frac {x}{y}}}$.

   The ratio of men's jobs to women's is 8 to 1.

   But Germany now has one of the highest ratios of spending to GDP in the European Community.

   The low student/teacher ratio makes this a great school.

Synonyms

• proportion