properly

adverb

prop·​er·​ly ˈprä-pər-lē 

: in a proper manner:

a

: in an acceptable or suitable way

behaving properly

trying to get the system to work properly

"Oh yes, I am not at all ashamed of it. I would have everybody marry if they can do it properly."

—Jane Austen

b

: in an accurate or correct way

It might more properly be termed a musical device than a musical form.

—Aaron Copland

Scoop out the seeds (properly called arils, a botanical term that includes the tiny actual seeds and the juicy, edible pulp around them).

—David Karp

Synonyms

• correctly
• appropriately

Examples of properly in a Sentence

the scouts were properly dressed for a week of camping

Recent Examples on the Web

The failure to file or report properly on one’s tax returns may have traditionally been seen as a civil or administrative matter but has now developed further carrying potential consequences for one’s citizenship status. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Castle, who has accused the Navy of mishandling her daughter's disappearance, said during a press conference in June that her daughter's body was left exposed for days and was not properly preserved or prepared for viewing. —Deena Zaru, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025

In a Canadian industry where for years doors were mostly closed to Black talent, and financing that came through when doors opened was meagre, the BSO report urges Black content creators be properly financed to build sustainable careers and businesses. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025

By the end of the film, a running joke where Resident 5B, due to his thick Danish accent, cannot say Aurora’s name properly becomes a term of endearment between the two, who form a new family from the broken pieces of their own. —Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for properly

• improperly

Kids Definition

properly

adverb

prop·​er·​ly

ˈpräp-ər-lē

1

: in a fit or suitable way

behave properly in church

2

: according to fact : correctly

properly labeled goods

properly speaking, whales are not fish