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

The company is also installing new printers and applicators to ensure RFID labels are properly attached to packages across its network. —Christopher Harris, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026

The rest remain in storage, awaiting their turn to be properly restored, a tricky job that can take months. —Alex Schechter, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026

Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026

The link between fatty muscles and knee pain Fat cells weaken muscles by serving as a roadblock to growth, preventing muscle fibers from properly regenerating. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 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