proper

play

adjective prop·er \ ˈprä-pər \

Definition of proper

1 a :referring to one individual only

b :belonging to one :own

c :appointed for the liturgy of a particular day

d :represented heraldically in natural color

2 :belonging characteristically to a species or individual :peculiar

3 chiefly dialectal :good-looking, handsome

4 :very good :excellent

5 chiefly British :utter, absolute

6 :strictly limited to a specified thing, place, or idea

the city proper

7 a :strictly accurate :correct

b archaic :virtuous, respectable

c :strictly decorous :genteel

8 :marked by suitability, rightness, or appropriateness :fit

9 :being a mathematical subset (such as a subgroup) that does not contain all the elements of the inclusive set from which it is derived

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properly

adverb

—

properness

noun

See proper defined for English-language learners

See proper defined for kids

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

For Taylor, the failure to pass hate crimes legislation comes down to this: Many lawmakers in the Republican majority have not given proper weight to the experiences of their minority colleagues.

— tony cook, Indianapolis Star, "Charlottesville fallout could push Indiana to pass hate crimes law, legislators say," 30 Aug. 2017
The car, which had sustained no damage, was towed pending proper ownership documentation and plates, reports said.

— brian lisik/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Drunken driver drives onto Center Road median: Brunswick Police Blotter," 29 Aug. 2017
The inflatable cave focused on introducing people to proper cave etiquette that can hinder the spread of a deadly fungus, known as White-Nose Syndrome, devastating bat populations in places such as Wisconsin.

— alan hovorka, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Bat Festival emphasizes education, awareness, but underscores threats to animal," 26 Aug. 2017
The job of getting Parkway re-opened, and then its menu back into proper order, was only the beginning for Jay Nix and Justin Kennedy.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Parkway Bakery remembers Katrina boat with free food, beer," 23 Aug. 2017
Science Fiction was mailed out to those early fans as a singular, hour-long track and that presentation proves apt, even after it was released as a proper 12-song album hours later.

— chris payne, Billboard, "Brand New's 'Science Fiction' Is a Dizzying, Legend-Making (and Potentially Career-Closing) Album," 18 Aug. 2017
Interested nonmembers in the community can check with their local library for proper eye protection and other specifics related to the event in their area.

— Howard County Times, "Howard County Fair offers a mix of old and new events [Lisbon/Woodbine]," 3 Aug. 2017
Robert Fitzsimmons, attorney for HBO, argued that because neither Murray, Oliver nor HBO reside in West Virginia removing the case to federal court is proper.

— ashley cullins, The Hollywood Reporter, "Murray Energy Fights to Move John Oliver Dispute Back to State Court," 28 July 2017
The Star's editorial page bid him a proper and fitting farewell.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Sam Brownback Is Your New Ambassador At Large For Religious Freedom," 27 July 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

proper Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of proper

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

proper

noun

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

But Kramer, Ploesch and NCT wanted to make such a program available to teen-agers in San Diego proper, and to bring the 18-year-old company’s deep and longstanding improv expertise to the endeavor.

— james hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Finding a way into autism through improv," 27 Aug. 2017
Liverpool's commanding midfielder Emre Can scored a European brace for the first time on Wednesday in the club's victory over TSG Hoffenheim to qualify for the Champions League proper.

— SI.com, "Report Suggests Liverpool Star Has Promised Juventus Transfer Upon Contract Expiry Next Summer," 26 Aug. 2017
Somewhere like Arcadia, where the median price per square foot is 50 percent higher than in Los Angeles proper, and where $7 million teardown listings tout propitious feng shui.

— scott garner, Town & Country, "How Arcadia, California Became the Next Calabasas," 9 Aug. 2017
Many reside outside of Los Angeles proper, with Contreras roaming the backyard party scenes and renegade venues in search of young talent.

— randall roberts, latimes.com, "Viva! Pomona founder Rene Contreras on low budgets, Inland Empire glory and Cuco-mania," 3 Aug. 2017
This area is surrounded by bespoke desks by Very Good and Proper that are topped with library-style desk lamps.

— jenna milliner-waddell, ELLE Decor, "WeWork’s First Paris Location, La Fayette, Is An Art Deco Tribute To 1920s France," 12 July 2017
That restaurant, in the former Proper Eats space, isn't scheduled to open until July.

— michael russell, OregonLive.com, "Popular Portland vegan barbecue cart damaged in late-night fire," 23 June 2017
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.

— gregory tejeda, Post-Tribune, "One-time Ming Ling restaurant the focus of preservation efforts," 29 May 2017
Remember the five Ps: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Purchase when buying your next home.

— melissa rolland, courant.com, "The 5 Ps Of Buying A House," 4 May 2017

First Known Use of proper

15th century

proper

adverb

Definition of proper

chiefly dialectal

:in a thorough manner :completely

See proper defined for English-language learners

Examples of proper in a Sentence

They beat us good and proper.

Recent Examples of proper from the Web

Liverpool confirmed qualification to the Champions League proper after seeing off Hoffenheim on Wednesday.

— SI.com, "Jurgen Klopp Gives a Transfer Update to Liverpool Fans as the Window is Set to Close Next Week," 25 Aug. 2017
If Presley’s set holds at the top when the chart proper is published this Friday, the late singer will extend his lead as the solo artist with the most U.K. No. 1 albums.

— lars brandle, Billboard, "Elvis Presley Could Extend U.K. Albums Chart Record," 15 Aug. 2017
Five miles down the road in McCarthy proper, Ma Johnson's Hotel and sister property, the Lancaster's Backpackers Hotel, offer luxury and budget accommodations, respectively, but with a similar model of clean, comfortable accommodations the charm.

— erin kirkland, Alaska Dispatch News, "McCarthy area offers tempting mix of history, adventure," 1 Aug. 2017
Dark Horse is closed on Memorial Day proper, however.

— adam lukach, chicagotribune.com, "12 Memorial Day food and drink deals around Chicago," 25 May 2017
Now the train is chugging into the Douro wine region proper: a land of venerable estates on hills rising precipitously from the riverbank.

— paul ames, CNN, "Portugal's Douro Presidential Train: The world's tastiest rail journey," 22 May 2017
But in August 2014, Rosetta became the first to orbit a comet proper, settling into a gravitational embrace some 12.5 miles above Comet 67P’s surface by the end of September.

— National Geographic, "6 Amazing Discoveries From Rosetta's Epic Comet Encounter," 29 Sep. 2016

First Known Use of proper

15th century

PROPER Defined for English Language Learners

proper

play

adjective

Definition of proper for English Language Learners

: correct according to social or moral rules
: behaving in a way that is correct according to social or moral rules
: exactly correct

proper

adverb

Definition of proper for English Language Learners

: in a complete way

PROPER Defined for Kids

proper

play

adjective prop·er \ ˈprä-pər \

Definition 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

adjective prop·er

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