appropriate

adjective ap·pro·pri·ate \ ə-ˈprō-prē-ət \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of appropriate

: especially suitable or compatible : fitting

an appropriate response

remarks appropriate to the occasion

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appropriately

adverb

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appropriateness

noun

See appropriate defined for English-language learners

Examples of appropriate in a Sentence

More than almost anyone writing today, Slater, whose prose is astringent and sensuous by turn, reflects both a genuine feeling for and appreciation of foods appropriate to the season—and a tolerance for kitchen disasters. —Cynthia Zarin, Gourmet, April 2007
Crepuscular means "pertaining to twilight." It sounds so lovely. I use the word as much as possible, even when it's not appropriate. —Bob Berman, Astronomy, June 2006
While working as one of the exhibition curators, I was surprised to learn that, until the 1920s, ice cream was properly eaten with a fork, a cumbersome technique decried by none other than Florence Howe hall, the granddaughter of Julia Ward Howe, who wrote "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". But if high society eventually agreed on a more appropriate utensil for eating the frozen-dessert, even the most au courant hostess may have had trouble deciding what kind of device should be used for serving it … —Darra Goldstein, Saveur, June-July 2006
Three days. There was no way on this earth that proper due diligence could be done in such a limited time. For a merger of this magnitude, a week's worth of due diligence would have been more appropriate. —Nina Munk, Vanity Fair, January 2004
Red wine would have been a more appropriate choice with the meal.
The movie is perfectly appropriate to people of all ages.

Recent Examples of appropriate from the Web

Master Trooper Glen Fifield said in a statement, adding when the investigation is complete, all findings will be submitted to prosecutors for review and action as deemed appropriate.

— staff report, Post-Tribune, "Report: State police investigating theft from Porter County FOP lodge," 11 May 2018
Posing together in a group shot worthy of widespread boy band nostalgia, the retro look seems more appropriate than ever.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "BTS Releases New Images for “Love Yourself: Tear”," 8 May 2018
It is involved with the selection, planting, maintenance and, when appropriate, removal of trees and shrubs within the city.

— steve lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora may do some trimming to Tree Board," 7 May 2018
Attorney Michael Howard, who represents the Hamilton County clerk's office, said the fees were appropriate.

— holly v. hays, Indianapolis Star, "Marion and Hamilton counties are accused of overcharging fees for filing lawsuits," 3 May 2018
Danel Eitel, a Girl Scout leader for Troop #10973, said outdoor activities seemed appropriate for Earth Day.

— dennis hohenberger, Courant Community, "Suffield Girl Scouts Celebrate Earth Day At Hilltop Farm," 2 May 2018
Roper also said the district plans on taking appropriate disciplinary action, separate and apart from the criminal case.

— guillermo contreras, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio-area student charged for posting picture of gun and ‘threat’," 2 May 2018
The fact that a woman of 79 would appear in public in garb generally deemed appropriate for a woman much younger felt rebellious.

— Harper's BAZAAR, "Candace Bushnell Opens Up About Style And The Dated Concept of "Dressing Your Age"," 30 Apr. 2018
The geology lesson seemed appropriate at Jacob & Co.’s party Thursday evening.

— laurie brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, "Jacob & Co. Shows Off Its Newest Treasure," 27 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'appropriate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

From its roots, the verb appropriate would mean basically "make one's own"—that is, "take", or sometimes "grab". Each year the President and Congress create a budget and appropriate funds for each item in it, funds which mostly come in the form of taxes from the public. In the House of Representatives, the powerful Appropriations Committee often gets the last word on how much money goes to each program. "Misappropriation of funds", on the other hand, is a nice way of saying "theft". If someone appropriated pieces of your novel, you might take him or her to court; and if you appropriated trade secrets from your former employers, you might be the one sued.

Origin and Etymology of appropriate

see ²appropriate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

appropriate Synonyms

Phrases

in order;

Synonym Discussion of appropriate

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

appropriate

verb ap·pro·pri·ate \ ə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt \

Definition of appropriate

appropriated; appropriating

transitive verb

1 : to take exclusive possession of : annex

No one should appropriate a common benefit.

2 : to set apart for or assign to a particular purpose or use

appropriate money for a research program

3 : to take or make use of without authority or right

natural habitats that have been appropriated for human use

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appropriable

play \-prē-ə-bəl\ adjective

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appropriator

play \-prē-ˌā-tər\ noun

See appropriate defined for English-language learners

See appropriate defined for kids

Examples of appropriate in a Sentence

From this source it was appropriated by Wilhelm Ropke in his effort to develop a social and political theory in which the market economy would be reconciled with the local community. —Roger Scruton, National Review, 20 June 2005
Dr. Seuss's mother, also the daughter of German immigrants, was Henrietta Seuss, and when he appropriated the name for his books Dr. Seuss pronounced it in the German manner, "soice," until he realized that Americans naturally read the name as "soose," and that the American pronunciation of "Dr. Seuss" evoked a figure advantageous for an author of children's books to be associated with—Mother Goose. —Louis Menand, New Yorker, 23 & 30 Dec. 2002
Wales, in contrast, was officially appropriated into the United Kingdom by Henry VIII's Acts of Union, in 1536 and 1543, before it had developed the apparatus of a modern state. —Pamela Petro, Atlantic, April 1999
The town has appropriated funds to repair the bridge and work should begin this summer.
The economy has been weakened by corrupt officials who have appropriated the country's resources for their own use.
Elements of the design were appropriated from other architects.
The term “bad” has been appropriated by teenagers as a synonym for “good.”