proposal

[pruh-poh-zuhl]

noun

1. the act of offering or suggesting something for acceptance, adoption, or performance.

   Synonyms: recommendation

2. a plan or scheme proposed.

   Synonyms: design, suggestion

3. an offer or suggestion of marriage.

proposal

/ prəˈpəʊzəl /

noun

1. the act of proposing

2. something proposed, as a plan

3. an offer, esp of marriage

Other Word Forms

• misproposal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of proposal¹

First recorded in 1645–55; propose + -al ²

Synonym Study

Proposal, overture, proposition refer to something in the nature of an offer. A proposal is a plan, a scheme, an offer to be accepted or rejected: to make proposals for peace. An overture is a friendly approach, an opening move (perhaps involving a proposal) tentatively looking toward the settlement of a controversy or else preparing the way for a proposal or the like: to make overtures to an enemy. Proposition, used in mathematics to refer to a formal statement of truth, and often including the proof or demonstration of the statement, has something of this same meaning when used nontechnically (particularly in business). A proposition is a proposal in which the terms are clearly stated and their advantageous nature emphasized: His proposition involved a large discount to the retailer.

Example Sentences

The business group looking to repeal a $30 per hour minimum wage for Los Angeles hotel and airport workers failed to secure enough signatures to qualify the proposal for the ballot, city officials said Monday.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the official, the proposal also includes a personal guarantee from the US president that both sides would hold good-faith negotiations on an end to the war.

From BBC

According to the department’s proposal, the sellers had higher offers but wanted the merry-go-round to keep twirling in its longtime home.

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier this week, Putin rejected Western proposals for a "reassurance force" in Ukraine the day after any ceasefire comes into place, following a Paris summit aimed at finalising plans for security guarantees.

From BBC

That is not exactly a proposal designed to warm the hearts of Labour Party branch meetings.

From BBC

Related Words

• bid 
• idea 
• motion 
• offer 
• outline 
• overture 
• plan 
• program 
• project 
• proposition 
• recommendation 
• scheme