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 of properly

• correctly
• appropriately

Examples of properly in a Sentence

the scouts were properly dressed for a week of camping

Recent Examples on the Web

The bill would also increase penalties for members who fail to properly disclose sales of stock, assessing fines of $2,000 or 10% of the value of the transaction, whichever is greater. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 22 July 2026

During Wednesday's hearing, Porter accused his new attorney of not properly representing him. — Mary Lyle, Arkansas Online, 22 July 2026

But this default fits only 19 percent of women based on body measurements, leaving 81 percent unable to find properly fitting clothes without buying oversized items or relying on stretch from elastane—another circularity impediment. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 22 July 2026

Many of these compounds’ efficacy and safety remain incompletely and properly evaluated in humans, and continue to be used outside conventional medical frameworks, increasingly marketed with the language of longevity, optimization, and self-care. — Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

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