B2 noun Neutral

portion

/ˈpɔːr.ʃən/

A portion is a part of a whole that has been divided or allocated to a specific person or purpose. It is most commonly used to describe a serving of food or a specific share of a larger amount, such as money or time.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The restaurant is famous for serving a massive portion of ribs.

The restaurant provides a very large serving of meat.

2

A substantial portion of the annual budget is dedicated to infrastructure.

A large part of the yearly funds is used for building roads and systems.

3

Can I just have a small portion of cake? I'm trying to be healthy.

Can I have a little piece of cake?

Word Family

Noun
portion
Verb
portion
Adjective
portioned
Related
proportionality
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Memory Tip

Think of a 'PORT-ion' as a 'PART' that you can carry through a 'PORT' (gate).

Quick Quiz

The waiter brought a very generous _______ of chips with the burger.

Correct!

The correct answer is: portion

Examples

1

The restaurant is famous for serving a massive portion of ribs.

everyday

The restaurant provides a very large serving of meat.

2

A substantial portion of the annual budget is dedicated to infrastructure.

formal

A large part of the yearly funds is used for building roads and systems.

3

Can I just have a small portion of cake? I'm trying to be healthy.

informal

Can I have a little piece of cake?

4

The study reveals that a portion of the population remains unaffected by the virus.

academic

The research shows that some people are not affected by the virus.

5

We need to reallocate a portion of our resources to the marketing department.

business

We must move some of our assets to the marketing team.

Word Family

Noun
portion
Verb
portion
Adjective
portioned
Related
proportionality

Common Collocations

generous portion a large serving of food
significant portion a large or important part of something
daily portion the amount allowed or suggested for one day
portion out to divide something into parts
equal portion parts that are the same size

Common Phrases

the lion's portion

the largest part of something (more commonly 'lion's share')

portion of the blame

some of the responsibility for a mistake

fair portion

a just or reasonable share

Often Confused With

portion vs proportion

Proportion refers to the relationship between sizes or amounts (a ratio), whereas portion refers to a specific physical piece or share.

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Usage Notes

Use 'portion' when referring to food servings or a physical share of something that has been divided. In formal contexts, it is often used for abstract things like time or money.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'proportion' when they mean 'portion' in a restaurant context. For example, saying 'a large proportion of fries' suggests a ratio, whereas 'a large portion' refers to the amount on the plate.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'PORT-ion' as a 'PART' that you can carry through a 'PORT' (gate).

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'portionem', meaning a share or a part, related to 'partire' (to divide).

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun (plural: portions) Often used in the structure: portion + of + [noun] Can be used as a transitive verb (to portion something out)
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Cultural Context

In many Western countries, especially the United States, 'portion control' is a common term used in dieting to manage weight.

Quick Quiz

The waiter brought a very generous _______ of chips with the burger.

Correct!

The correct answer is: portion

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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