Thesaurus

proper

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of proper

1 following the established traditions of refined society and good taste

the formal ball called for proper attire—tuxedos and full-length gowns only

Synonyms of proper

befitting, correct, decent, decorous, de rigueur, genteel, nice, polite, respectable, seemly

Words Related to proper

acceptable, adequate, satisfactory, tolerable

dress, dressy, formal

dignified, elegant, gracious

priggish, prim, stiff, stuffy

apt, material, relevant

compatible, congenial, harmonious

allowed, authorized, kosher, permitted

Near Antonyms of proper

intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory

casual, grungy, informal

seedy, shabby, tacky

banned, barred, disallowed

forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed

awkward, gauche, ungraceful

Antonyms of proper

improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, ungenteel, unseemly

2 being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard

there is really more than one proper way to pronounce that word in English

Synonyms of proper

accurate, bang on [chiefly British], correct, dead-on, exact, good, on-target, precise, right, so, spot-on, true, veracious

Words Related to proper

legitimate, logical, sound, valid

errorless, faultless, flawless, impeccable, inerrant, infallible, letter-perfect, perfect

rigorous, strict, stringent

Phrases Synonymous with proper

on target, on the money

Near Antonyms of proper

defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect

Antonyms of proper

false, improper, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, off, untrue, wrong

3 marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details

we had nodded and said hello to one another but had never had a proper introduction

Synonyms of proper

ceremonious, correct, decorous, formal, nice, punctilious, starchy, stiff, stiff-necked, stilted

Words Related to proper

sober, solemn, stately

chivalrous, courtly, gallant

genteel, polished, refined

civil, courteous, polite, red-carpet

Near Antonyms of proper

improper, indecorous, unmannerly

discourteous, impolite, rude

Antonyms of proper

casual, easygoing, informal, laid-back, unceremonious

4 meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation

youʼll need to have a proper diet if you want to lose weight

Synonyms of proper

applicable, appropriate, apt, becoming, befitting, felicitous, fit, fitted, fitting, good, happy, meet, pretty, right, suitable

Words Related to proper

condign, deserved, just, justified

needed, required, requisite

able, capable, competent, cut out, qualified, trained

acceptable, adequate, decent, kosher, satisfactory, serviceable, tolerable

correct, decorous, respectable, seemly

balanced, companionate, congruous, consonant, harmonious

Phrases Synonymous with proper

in order

Near Antonyms of proper

incapable, incompetent, inept, inexpert, unqualified, unskilled, unskillful, untrained

inadequate, intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory

graceless, incorrect, indecorous

incompatible, uncongenial

Antonyms of proper

improper, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, indecent, infelicitous, malapropos, misbecoming, unapt, unbecoming, unbeseeming, unfit, unfitting, unhappy, unmeet, unseemly, unsuitable, wrong

5 serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group

malaria and other diseases that are proper to the tropics

Synonyms of proper

characteristic, classic, diagnostic (also diagnostical), discriminating, distinct, distinctive, distinguishing, identifying, individual, peculiar, symptomatic, typical

Words Related to proper

identifiable, pronounced, unmistakable

general, generic

common, normal, regular, usual

especial, particular, special, specific

archetypal (also archetypical), model, paradigmatic

Antonyms of proper

atypical, nontypical, uncharacteristic, untypical

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

Learn More about proper

See words that rhyme with proper Dictionary: Definition of proper Spanish Central: Translation of proper Nglish: Translation of proper for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of proper for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up proper? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

milieu

the setting in which something occurs

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games