Commensurate
/kəˈmen.sɚ.ət/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Commensurate describes when two things match or are equal in size, amount, importance, or degree. It is often used to say that one thing is fair or suitable compared to another, like a salary that fits the work done or a punishment that fits the crime.
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See It in Action
Equal or matching in size, amount, or degree
- •His salary was commensurate with his experience.
- •The punishment should be commensurate with the crime.
- •The benefits are commensurate to the amount of work you do.
Appropriate or fair in relation to something else
- •The responsibility given was commensurate with her skills.
- •The rewards were commensurate with the risks involved.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "commensurate" like "equal," but more about matching size or level, not just exact same number
- ✓Picture two boxes side by side that are the same height and width—they are commensurate in size
- ✓It feels right when you get a reward commensurate with your effort—fair and balanced
- ✓Sounds like "come-MEN-sur-it" → imagine men coming together to agree on equal shares
- ✓Imagine a teacher giving grades commensurate with the quality of your homework—not too high, not too low
- ✓NOT like "bigger" or "smaller"—commensurate means balanced or matching, not different sizes
- ✓NOT like "random" or "unequal"—commensurate means there is a clear, fair connection between two things
Try Other Words
- •Proportional: matching in size or amount relative to something else (Use when focusing on mathematical or measured relationships)
- •Equivalent: equal in value or meaning (Use when emphasizing sameness in value or effect)
- •Corresponding: matching or related in position or function (Use when talking about things that relate or match in role or place)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "com-" meaning "together" or "with"
- •Root: "mensur" from Latin "mensura" meaning "measure"
- •Suffix: "-ate" forming an adjective meaning "having the quality of"
- •Etymology: From Latin "commensuratus," past participle of "commensurare," meaning "to measure together" or "to measure equally"
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s to describe things measured or compared fairly
- •Modern usage: Common in formal or academic English to describe fair or matching relationships, especially in business, law, and education
Reflect & Connect
•How can understanding "commensurate" help you think about fairness in everyday situations like work or school?
•Can two things be commensurate in some ways but not in others? How would you explain that?
Fill in the blanks
1.The salary offered was commensurate with the ___ and ___ required for the job.
2.To be fair, the punishment must be commensurate ___ the seriousness of the offense.
3.His responsibilities grew, so his pay became commensurate ___ his new role.
4.Unlike a random bonus, the reward was carefully made commensurate ___ the employee’s performance.
5.Commensurate usually means things are balanced or equal, ___ different or unfair.
6.When two things are commensurate, they have a clear ___ or ___ between them.
7.The size of the house was commensurate with the ___ of the family living there.