proper

proper

adjective

Definition of PROPER

1

following the established traditions of refined society and good taste <the formal ball called for proper attire—tuxedos and full-length gowns only>

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

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

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

2

being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard <there is really more than one proper way to pronounce that word in English>

Synonyms accurate, bang on [chiefly British], dead-on, exact, good, on-target, precise, proper, right, so, spot-on, true, veracious

Related Words legitimate, logical, sound, valid; errorless, faultless, flawless, impeccable, inerrant, infallible, letter-perfect, perfect; rigorous, strict, stringent

Near Antonyms defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect

Antonyms false, improper, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, off, untrue, wrong

3

marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details <we had nodded and said hello to one another but had never had a proper introduction>

Synonyms correct, decorous, formal, nice, proper, punctilious, starchy, stiff, stiff-necked, stilted

Related Words sober, solemn, stately; chivalrous, courtly, gallant; genteel, polished, refined; civil, courteous, polite, red-carpet

Near Antonyms improper, indecorous, unmannerly; discourteous, impolite, rude

Antonyms casual, easygoing, informal, laid-back, unceremonious

4

meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation <you'll need to have a proper diet if you want to lose weight>

Synonyms applicable, appropriate, apt, becoming, befitting, felicitous, fitted, fitting, good, happy, meet, pretty, proper, right, suitable

Related Words condign, deserved, just, justified; needed, required, requisite; able, capable, competent, cut out, qualified, trained; pitch-perfect; acceptable, adequate, decent, kosher, satisfactory, serviceable, tolerable; correct, decorous, respectable, seemly; balanced, companionate, congruous, consonant, harmonious; rightful

Near Antonyms incapable, incompetent, inept, inexpert, unqualified, unskilled, unskillful, untrained; inadequate, intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory; graceless, incorrect, indecorous; incompatible, uncongenial

Antonyms improper, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, indecent, infelicitous, malapropos, misbecoming, unapt, unbecoming, unbeseeming, unfit, unfitting, unhappy, unmeet, unseemly, unsuitable, wrong

5

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group <malaria and other diseases that are proper to the tropics>

Synonyms classic, diagnostic (also diagnostical), discriminating, distinct, distinctive, distinguishing, identifying, individual, peculiar, proper, symptomatic, typical

Related Words idiosyncratic; identifiable, pronounced, unmistakable; general, generic; common, normal, regular, usual; especial, particular, special, specific; archetypal (also archetypical), model, paradigmatic

Antonyms atypical, nontypical, uncharacteristic, untypical