propriety

propriety

noun

Definition of PROPRIETY

1

socially acceptable behavior <some people miss the straitlaced propriety that was largely abandoned in the 1960s>

Synonyms decorum, form, propriety

Related Words etiquette; civility, courteousness, courtesy, gentilesse, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, politeness, politesse; dignity, grace, refinement; discretion, prudence; appropriateness, correctitude, correctness, decorousness, fitness, rightness, seemliness; attention, attentiveness, care, carefulness; character, goodness, high-mindedness, honesty, honor, integrity, morality, probity, rectitude, righteousness, straightness, uprightness, virtue, virtuousness

Near Antonyms coarseness, crudeness, gracelessness; discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, vulgarity; imprudence, indiscretion; badness, evil, immorality, wickedness; debauchery, degeneracy, degradation, depravity, perversion; crookedness, dishonesty, underhandedness, unscrupulousness

Antonyms impropriety, indecency, indecorum

proprieties plpersonal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting <an etiquette columnist who insists that traditional proprieties are necessary in order to maintain a civil society>

Synonyms etiquette, form, mores, proprieties

Related Words amenities, civilities, pleasantries; bearing, demeanor, deportment, mien; courtesy, decorum, mannerliness, politeness; formalities, protocol, rules; air, attitude, carriage, poise, polish, pose, posture, presence; custom, habit, pattern, practice (also practise), trick, way, wont; convention, fashion, mode, style

3

the quality or state of being especially suitable or fitting <I'm not sure about the propriety of serving champagne in these glasses>

Synonyms appositeness, aptness, felicitousness, felicity, fitness, fittingness, happiness, properness, propriety, rightness, seemliness, suitability, suitableness

Related Words agreeableness, compatibility, congruity, harmoniousness; applicability, bearing, connection, justifiability, materiality, pertinence, relevance, relevancy, validity; acceptability, adequacy, adequateness, convenience, expedience, expediency, satisfactoriness, serviceableness, usefulness

Near Antonyms disagreeableness, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, inexpedience, inexpediency, inharmoniousness, unbecomingness; immateriality, inapplicability, irrelevance, irrelevancy; meaninglessness, pointlessness

Antonyms improperness, impropriety, inappositeness, inappropriateness, inaptness, infelicity, unfitness, unseemliness, unsuitability, wrongness