SINCE 1828
properly
adverb
prop·er·ly
| \ ˈprä-pər-lē
\
\
Definition of properly
: 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
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on properly
What made you want to look up properly? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Homophone Quiz
-
- In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a
______.
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Homophone Quiz
More/moor than/then two/too/to.
Take the quiz -
Liar, Liar Quiz
Test your knowledge of words for lies, liars, and those being lied to. In other words, everyone.
Take the quiz -
Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz -
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share properly
Resources for properly