If you describe something such as a task or an activity as, for example, a difficult proposition or an attractive proposition, you mean that it is difficult or pleasant to do.
Making easy money has always been an attractive proposition.
Even among seasoned mountaineers this peak is considered quite a tough proposition.
2. countable noun [oft NOUN that]
A proposition is a statement or an idea which people can consider or discuss to decide whether it is true.
[formal]
The proposition that democracies do not fight each other is based on a tiny historicalsample.
3. countable noun
In the United States, a proposition is a question or statement about an issue of public policy which appears on a voting paper so that people can vote for or against it.
I voted 'yes' on proposition 136, but 'no' on propositions 129, 133 and 134.
4. countable noun
A proposition is an offer or a suggestion that someone makes to you, usually concerning some work or business that you might be able to do together.
You came to see me at my office the other day with a business proposition.
I want to make you a proposition.
Synonyms: proposal, plan, suggestion, scheme More Synonyms of proposition
5. verb
If someone who you do not know very well propositions you, they suggest that you have sex with them.
He had allegedly tried to proposition a colleague. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: make a pass at, solicit, accost, make an indecent proposal to More Synonyms of proposition
Proposition is also a noun.
...unwanted sexual propositions.
More Synonyms of proposition
proposition in British English
(ˌprɒpəˈzɪʃən)
noun
1.
a proposal or topic presented for consideration
2. philosophy
a.
the content of a sentence that affirms or denies something and is capable of being true or false
b.
the meaning of such a sentence: I am warm always expresses the same proposition whoever the speaker is
Compare statement (sense 9)
3. mathematics
a statement or theorem, usually containing its proof
4. informal
a person or matter to be dealt with
he's a difficult proposition
5.
an invitation to engage in sexual intercourse
verb
6. (transitive)
to propose a plan, deal, etc, to, esp to engage in sexual intercourse
Derived forms
propositional (ˌpropoˈsitional)
adjective
propositionally (ˌpropoˈsitionally)
adverb
Word origin
C14 proposicioun, from Latin prōpositiō a setting forth; see propose
proposition in American English
(ˌprɑpəˈzɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act of proposing
2.
a.
something proposed; proposal, plan
b. US, Informal
an unethical or immoral proposal, specif. one of illicit sexual relations in return for some gain
3.
a subject or statement to be discussed or debated
4. US, Informal
a proposed deal, as in business
5. US, Informal
a person, problem, undertaking, etc. being or to be dealt with
6. Archaic
a setting forth; offering
7. Logic
an informative statement whose truth or falsity can be evaluated by means of logic
8. Ancient Mathematics
a theorem to be demonstrated or a problem to be solved
verb transitive US
9.
to make a proposition, esp. an improper one, to
SIMILAR WORDS: proˈposal
Derived forms
propositional (ˌpropoˈsitional)
adjective
Word origin
ME proposicioun < OFr proposition < L propositio < proponere: see propose
COBUILD Collocations
proposition
risky proposition
Examples of 'proposition' in a sentence
proposition
We also need to sharpen our proposition and make sure our service standards are consistently delivered.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
That was a difficult proposition to prove.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Jazz was a very different proposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
When we put him over hurdles he was a different proposition all together.
The Sun (2012)
The answer will make an enormous difference to whether you have a viable business proposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The value proposition was ingrained from an early age.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Torchwood is a much more difficult proposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The second half was a different proposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Some are healthy business propositions in their own right.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Clients see it as a value proposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
So freer trade is always a difficult political proposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
England are a different proposition when he is bowling well.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
She has since been subject to other propositions in business negotiations.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Controversy makes preaching a more difficult proposition.
Christianity Today (2000)
City are clearly a different proposition now.
The Sun (2009)
Says she has a business proposition for me.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The 1960 puzzle was a tougher proposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
She will not be an easy proposition, either.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Staying under the public's radar is a much tougher proposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Batting last is not likely to be an easy proposition, with both sides fielding two spinners.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
City are a tough proposition, though.
The Sun (2013)
As you become more senior, you acquire the ability to set out the value proposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
And that's a much tougher proposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It wants to be seen as a carmaker of premium quality, with vehicles available at a value proposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
While selling off parts of the business is not at the front of our mind, we would consider any propositions.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It's a proposition worth discussing.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
As far as I am concerned both these propositions remain true today.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Quotations
It is more important that a proposition be interesting than that it be trueA.N. WhiteheadAdventures of Ideas
In other languages
proposition
British English: proposition NOUN
If you describe something such as a task or an activity as, for example, a difficult proposition or an attractive proposition, you mean that it is difficult or pleasant to do.
Making easy money has always been an attractive proposition.
American English: proposition
Brazilian Portuguese: proposição
Chinese: 事情
European Spanish: propuesta
French: chose
German: Vorhaben
Italian: prospettiva
Japanese: 課題
Korean: 문제
European Portuguese: proposição
Latin American Spanish: propuesta
All related terms of 'proposition'
A-proposition
a universal affirmative proposition
E-proposition
a universal negative proposition
I-proposition
a particular affirmative proposition
O-proposition
a particular negative proposition
risky proposition
If you describe something such as a task or an activity as, for example, a difficult proposition or an attractive proposition , you mean that it is difficult or pleasant to do.
identical proposition
a necessary truth, esp a categorial identity , such as whatever is triangular has three sides
USP
The USP of a product or service is a particular feature of it which can be used in advertising to show how it is different from, and better than, other similar products or services. USP is an abbreviation for 'Unique Selling Point'.
Chinese translation of 'proposition'
proposition
(prɔpəˈzɪʃən)
n(c)
(= idea)
a difficult/attractive proposition一个(個)棘手/有趣的问(問)题(題) (yī gè jíshǒu/yǒuqù de wèntí)
(= offer, suggestion) 提议(議) (tíyì)
(frm, = statement) 主张(張) (zhǔzhāng)
vt
to proposition sb向某人提出猥亵(褻)的要求 (xiàng mǒurén tíchū wěixiè de yāoqiú)
to make sb a proposition向某人提议(議) (xiàng mǒurén tíyì)
1 (noun)
Definition
a person or matter to be dealt with
Designing his own flat was quite a different proposition to designing for clients.
Synonyms
task
He had the unenviable task of breaking the bad news.
problem
activity
Activities range from canoeing to birdwatching.
job
Their main job is to preserve health rather than treat illness.
affair
The government has mishandled the whole affair.
venture
a Russian-American joint venture
undertaking
Organizing the show has been a massive undertaking.
2 (noun)
Definition
a statement that affirms or denies something and is capable of being true or false
the proposition that monarchs derived their authority by divine right
Synonyms
theory
He produced a theory about historical change.
idea
It's a good idea to keep a stock of tins in the cupboard.
argument
concept
She added that the concept of arranged marriages is misunderstood in the west.
thesis
This thesis does not stand up to close inspection.
hypothesis
Different hypotheses have been put forward.
theorem
He postulated a theorem and proved it.
premise
the premise that men and women are on equal terms in this society
postulation
3 (noun)
Definition
a proposal or offer
I want to make you a business proposition.
Synonyms
proposal
the government's proposals to abolish free health care
plan
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
suggestion
I have lots of suggestions for the park's future.
scheme
a private pension scheme
bid
He made an agreed takeover bid of £351 million.
motion
The conference is now debating the motion.
recommendation
The committee's recommendations are unlikely to be made public.
4 (noun)
Definition
an invitation to engage in sexual intercourse
unwanted sexual propositions
Synonyms
advance
pass (informal)
proposal
overture
improper suggestion
come-on (informal)
(verb)
Definition
to invite (someone) to engage in sexual intercourse
His proposition was unwelcome and uncomfortable.
Synonyms
make a pass at
solicit
accost
I told them that someone had accosted me in the street.
make an indecent proposal to
make an improper suggestion to
Quotation
It is more important that a proposition be interesting than that it be true [A.N. Whitehead – Adventures of Ideas]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accost
Definition
to approach, stop, and speak to
I told them that someone had accosted me in the street.
Synonyms
confront,
challenge,
address,
stop,
approach,
oppose,
halt,
greet,
hail,
buttonhole
in the sense of activity
Definition
any specific action or pursuit
Activities range from canoeing to birdwatching.
Synonyms
pursuit,
act,
project,
scheme,
task,
pleasure,
interest,
enterprise,
undertaking,
occupation,
hobby,
deed,
endeavour,
pastime,
avocation
in the sense of affair
Definition
a thing to be done or attended to
The government has mishandled the whole affair.
Synonyms
matter,
thing,
business,
question,
issue,
happening,
concern,
event,
subject,
project,
activity,
incident,
proceeding,
circumstance,
episode,
topic,
undertaking,
transaction,
occurrence
Synonyms of 'proposition'
proposition
Explore 'proposition' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bid
Definition
an offer of a specified amount
He made an agreed takeover bid of £351 million.
Synonyms
offer,
price,
attempt,
amount,
advance,
proposal,
sum,
tender,
proposition,
submission
in the sense of concept
Definition
an abstract or general idea
She added that the concept of arranged marriages is misunderstood in the west.
Synonyms
idea,
view,
image,
theory,
impression,
notion,
conception,
hypothesis,
abstraction,
conceptualization
in the sense of hypothesis
Definition
a suggested explanation for a group of facts, accepted either as a basis for further verification or as likely to be true
Different hypotheses have been put forward.
Synonyms
theory,
premise,
proposition,
assumption,
thesis,
postulate,
supposition,
premise
in the sense of idea
Definition
a scheme, intention, or plan
It's a good idea to keep a stock of tins in the cupboard.
Synonyms
plan,
scheme,
proposal,
design,
theory,
strategy,
method,
solution,
suggestion,
recommendation,
proposition
in the sense of job
Definition
a piece of work
Their main job is to preserve health rather than treat illness.
Synonyms
task,
concern,
duty,
charge,
work,
business,
role,
operation,
affair,
responsibility,
function,
contribution,
venture,
enterprise,
undertaking,
pursuit,
assignment,
stint,
chore,
errand
in the sense of motion
Definition
a formal proposal to be discussed and voted on in a debate or meeting
The conference is now debating the motion.
Synonyms
proposal,
suggestion,
recommendation,
proposition,
submission
in the sense of plan
Definition
a method thought out for doing or achieving something
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
Synonyms
scheme,
system,
design,
idea,
programme,
project,
proposal,
strategy,
method,
suggestion,
procedure,
plot,
device,
scenario,
proposition,
contrivance
in the sense of premise
Definition
a statement that is assumed to be true and is used as a basis for an argument
the premise that men and women are on equal terms in this society
Synonyms
assumption,
proposition,
thesis,
ground,
argument,
hypothesis,
assertion,
postulate,
supposition,
presupposition,
postulation
in the sense of recommendation
The committee's recommendations are unlikely to be made public.
Synonyms
advice,
proposal,
suggestion,
counsel,
guidance,
exhortation (formal),
urging
in the sense of scheme
Definition
a systematic plan for a course of action
a private pension scheme
Synonyms
plan,
programme,
strategy,
system,
design,
project,
theory,
proposal,
device,
tactics,
course of action,
contrivance
Additional synonyms
in the sense of suggestion
Definition
something that is suggested
I have lots of suggestions for the park's future.
Synonyms
recommendation,
proposal,
proposition,
plan,
motion,
submission
in the sense of theorem
Definition
a proposition, esp. in maths, that can be proved by reasoning from the basic principles of a subject
He postulated a theorem and proved it.
Synonyms
proposition,
statement,
formula,
rule,
principle,
thesis,
hypothesis,
deduction,
dictum
in the sense of thesis
Definition
an opinion supported by reasoned argument
This thesis does not stand up to close inspection.
Synonyms
proposition,
theory,
hypothesis,
idea,
view,
opinion,
proposal,
contention,
line of argument
in the sense of undertaking
Definition
a task or enterprise
Organizing the show has been a massive undertaking.
Synonyms
task,
business,
operation,
project,
game,
attempt,
effort,
affair,
venture,
enterprise,
endeavour
in the sense of venture
Definition
a project or activity that is risky or of uncertain outcome