proper

1 of 3

adjective

prop·​er ˈprä-pər 

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

properness noun

proper

2 of 3

noun

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

proper

3 of 3

adverb

chiefly dialectal

: in a thorough manner : completely

Synonyms

Adjective

• polite
• satisfactory
• respectable
• correct
• acceptable
• decorous
• nice
• adequate
• formal
• decent

Choose the Right Synonym for proper

fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance.

fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

clothes suitable for camping

meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

Examples of proper in a Sentence

Adjective

It is not proper to speak that way.

The children need to learn proper behavior.

It would not be proper for you to borrow the ladder without asking first.

She is a very prim and proper young lady.

Is this the proper spelling of your name?

You need to eat a proper meal instead of junk food.

Each step must be done in the proper order.

Adverb

They beat us good and proper.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As the menu puts it, when there’s not enough left in the bottle to make a proper cocktail, the gin goes into a decanter and the whiskey into a barrel. —Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Vance lectured Zelenskyy and argued the wartime leader hadn’t shown proper gratitude for the billions of dollars in military assistance the United States has given to his country. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025

Noun

More Reviews: New pop culture reporter starts her gig with chaotic, sometimes-thrilling Lil Wayne show Bryan pulled out all the stops for the Ruoff crowd, which strangely packed the lawn but left some empty seats in the amphitheater proper. —Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 29 Aug. 2025

While there are a few different chain hotels in Huntersville, the more unique and luxurious properties are either to the south, in Charlotte proper, or in Davidson, about a 15-minute drive north. —Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2025

Adverb

Doubles players have criticized the USTA for devaluing a Grand Slam trophy by introducing a new format and holding the tournament in the same week as singles qualifying, rather than alongside the tournament proper. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025

Phoenix proper gets only about one-third of its water from the Colorado River. —Daniel Rothberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing proper

• proper adjective
• proper fraction
• proper noun
• proper to

Rhymes for proper

• chopper
• copper
• cropper
• dropper
• pauper
• popper
• shopper
• stopper
• topper
• whopper
• eavesdropper
• grasshopper

Kids Definition

proper

adjective

prop·​er

ˈpräp-ər

1

: belonging naturally to something : special

diseases proper to the tropics

2

: considered without surrounding places, things, or events

lived outside the city proper

3

a

: strictly accurate : correct

the proper way to pronounce the word

b

: obeying social rules : appropriate

the proper way to address the mayor

4

: suitable because of an essential nature or condition

proper lighting to work by

properness noun

Legal Definition

proper

adjective

prop·​er

: marked by fitness or correctness

especially : being in accordance with established procedure, law, jurisdiction, or standards of care, fairness, and justice

argued that the shareholder was acting in bad faith and lacked a proper purpose for examining its records

properly adverb