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

Consumers are also advised to properly dispose of or recycle button cell and coin batteries in accordance with local hazardous waste procedures. —Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 May 2026

In their lawsuit against the county and sheriff’s office, attorneys say the altercation amounts to an excessive use of force and claim the deputies involved in the altercation were not properly trained. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026

That has meant taking time to understand why some patients don’t take their medications or eat properly, and often end up back in the hospital. —Nancy Badertscher, AJC.com, 7 May 2026

This need won’t get properly evaluated until pads come on during training camp in August. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 7 May 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