ratio
Pluralratios
Pluralratios
Formsratios, ratioing, ratioed
- 1A comparison of two amounts that shows how big one is next to the other.
Like saying there are two apples for every one orange.
A ratio of four to two is the same as two to one.
Mix the paint in a ratio of three parts blue to one part white.
UsageSay a ratio of two to one.
Similarproportion
Note
- 2On social media, a post's replies compared with its likes. Far more replies, or a reply with more likes, shows dislike.
Like a comment box that fills with angry notes while the thumbs-up button stays empty.
His tweet got a brutal ratio, with thousands of replies but barely any likes.
The post's ratio made it obvious that followers hated the announcement.
UsageA post gets a ratio.
Note
- 3On social media, to mock a post by swamping it with replies or getting more likes on a reply than it gets.
Like a crowd shouting back at one speaker until the boos drown out any cheers.
Thousands of users ratioed the celebrity after the rude comment.
Don't ratio every politician you disagree with.
UsageYou can say get ratioed, as in 'My post got ratioed.'
Less common meanings
- 4A one-word reply posted to show that you disagree with or dislike someone's post.
Like shouting "boo" at someone to show the crowd is against them.
"Ratio," she wrote, and dozens of others piled on with the same word.
He fired back a single "Ratio" beneath the unpopular announcement.
UsageOften L + ratio.
Note
- 5Short form of ratio decidendi. It means the main legal reason a court gives for its decision.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It comes from the Latin word "ratiō". It is related to "ration" and "reason".
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Ratio comes from Latin ratiō. en.wiktionary.org
- Ratio is etymologically related to ration and reason. en.wiktionary.org