Definition of proper
1a : referring to one individual onlyb : belonging to one : ownc : appointed for the liturgy of a particular dayd : represented heraldically in natural color
2 : belonging characteristically to a species or individual : peculiar
3 chiefly dialectal : good-looking, handsome
4 : very good : excellent
6 : strictly limited to a specified thing, place, or idea the city proper
7a : strictly accurate : correctb archaic : virtuous, respectablec : strictly decorous : genteel
8 : marked by suitability, rightness, or appropriateness : fit
properly
adverbproperness
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
Examples of proper in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of proper from the Web
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Daniel Pagés of the Association of Venezuelans in Colombia estimates that 1.5m of his countrymen are in Colombia, about 40% of them without proper papers.
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Seniors and their families face no more daunting task than to determine the proper care options for life’s latter stages. St. Charles Community offers a free service to the community through its Resource Center for Aging.
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The Clothing Assistance Program, run by the 15th district PTA, has been around since 1971, and it was started by a group of moms who noticed the lack of proper uniform clothing on students.
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Test Results: Maximum Cornering Capability Braking Even without the summer performance tires, which help the big Audi stop like a proper sports coupe, the Q7 has impressive and reassuring braking ability for a people mover of any size.
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But movies aren’t intended to be a proper demographic cross-section of America.
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But he was outnumbered, and eventually subdued - held down in the galley, zip-ties fastened around his limbs while a flight attendant told a passenger to return the lever to its proper place.
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This Manichean dichotomy means that there’s no way for any reasonable or tempered debate to emerge over proper behavior or coverage.
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Its surface is bumpy and the pavement was draped down the side of the hill with no concessions to proper camber.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'proper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of proper
Middle English propre proper, own, from Anglo-French, from Latin proprius own
Synonym Discussion of proper
proper
Definition of proper
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
Recent Examples of proper from the Web
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That restaurant, in the former Proper Eats space, isn't scheduled to open until July.
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There also is a building adjacent to the restaurant proper that served as a connected lounge and bar; a building that once served as a Bart's Shoes store.
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Remember the five Ps: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Purchase when buying your next home.
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Journalists have had a regular place to work and to question officials in the White House proper since the McKinley administration, and presidents and White House officials of both parties and journalists of all varieties have honored the custom.
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The documentary proper runs about 75 minutes and is book-ended by two new sequences, including a brief introduction that offers critical viewing context.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'proper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of proper
15th century
Examples of proper in a Sentence
They beat us good and proper.
First Known Use of proper
15th century
PROPER Defined for English Language Learners
proper
playDefinition of proper for English Language Learners
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: correct according to social or moral rules
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: behaving in a way that is correct according to social or moral rules
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: exactly correct
proper
Definition of proper for English Language Learners
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: in a complete way
PROPER Defined for Kids
proper
playDefinition of proper for Students
1 : correct according to social or moral rules proper behavior
2 : 1appropriate, suitable Use the proper tool for the job.
3 : strictly accurate : correct “… do everything in the proper order … and I'm sure all will be well.” — E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan
4 : referring to one individual only a proper name
5 : considered in its true or basic meaning Her family lived outside the city proper.
Law Dictionary
proper
Legal Definition of proper
: 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
adverbLearn More about proper
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See words that rhyme with proper Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for proper Spanish Central: Translation of proper Nglish: Translation of proper for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of proper for Arabic speakers
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