proper

¹prop·er

adjective \ˈprä-pər\

Definition of PROPER

1

a : referring to one individual only

b : belonging to one : own

c : appointed for the liturgy of a particular day

d : represented heraldically in natural color

2

: belonging characteristically to a species or individual : peculiar

3

chiefly dialect : good-looking, handsome

4

: very good : excellent

5

chiefly British : utter, absolute

6

: strictly limited to a specified thing, place, or idea <the city proper>

7

a : strictly accurate : correct

b archaic : virtuous, respectable

c : strictly decorous : genteel

8

: marked by suitability, rightness, or appropriateness : fit

9

: being a mathematical subset (as a subgroup) that does not contain all the elements of the inclusive set from which it is derived

— prop·er·ly adverb

— prop·er·ness noun

Examples of PROPER

1. It is not proper to speak that way.
2. The children need to learn proper behavior.
3. It would not be proper for you to borrow the ladder without asking first.
4. She is a very prim and proper young lady.
5. Is this the proper spelling of your name?
6. You need to eat a proper meal instead of junk food.
7. Each step must be done in the proper order.

Origin of PROPER

Middle English propre proper, own, from Anglo-French, from Latin proprius own

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PROPER

Synonyms

befitting, correct, decent, decorous, de rigueur, genteel, nice, polite, respectable, seemly

Antonyms

improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, ungenteel, unseemly

Related Words

acceptable, adequate, satisfactory, tolerable; dress, dressy, formal; dignified, elegant, gracious; priggish, prim, stiff, stuffy; apt, material, relevant; compatible, congenial, harmonious; allowed, authorized, kosher, permitted

Near Antonyms

intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory; casual, grungy, informal; seedy, shabby, tacky; banned, barred, disallowed; forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed; awkward, gauche, ungraceful

See Synonym Discussion at fit

Rhymes with PROPER

bopper, chopper, copper, cropper, dropper, flopper, hopper, lopper, mopper, popper, shopper, stopper, swapper, topper, whopper

²proper

noun

Definition of PROPER

1

: the parts of the Mass that vary according to the liturgical calendar

2

: the part of a missal or breviary containing the proper of the Mass and the offices proper to the holy days of the liturgical year

First Known Use of PROPER

15th century

Rhymes with PROPER

bopper, chopper, copper, cropper, flopper, mopper, stopper, swapper

³proper

adverb

Definition of PROPER

chiefly dialect

: in a thorough manner : completely

Examples of PROPER

1. They beat us good and proper.

First Known Use of PROPER

15th century