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

This all-in form of college sports accounting has been championed by economists who believe the siloed nature of many athletic departments force them to make financial decisions without properly weighing the campus-wide impact. —Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2025

Your body requires vitamins to function properly and maintain good health. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2025

Americans work hard their whole lives to buy a home – a small piece of the American dream – but many don’t spend enough time planning to pass it on properly to their heirs, resulting in disputes and even lost property, experts said. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025

What Shower-Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid Koch has seen a lot of shower-cleaning mistakes over the years that are important to avoid to ensure your safety and a properly de-grimed space. —Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025

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