proper

¹prop·er

adj \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 dialect : 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 (as a subgroup) that does not contain all the elements of the inclusive set from which it is derived

— prop·er·ly adverb

— prop·er·ness noun

Examples of PROPER

1. It is not proper to speak that way.
2. The children need to learn proper behavior.
3. It would not be proper for you to borrow the ladder without asking first.
4. She is a very prim and proper young lady.
5. Is this the proper spelling of your name?
6. You need to eat a proper meal instead of junk food.
7. Each step must be done in the proper order.

Origin of PROPER

Middle English propre proper, own, from Anglo-French, from Latin proprius own

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PROPER

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

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

Related Words: 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: intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory; casual, grungy, informal; seedy, shabby, tacky; banned, barred, disallowed; forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed; awkward, gauche, ungraceful

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at fit

Rhymes with PROPER

bopper, chopper, copper, cropper, dropper, flopper, hopper, lopper, mopper, popper, shopper, stopper, swapper, topper, whopper