appropriate

[ adjective uh-proh-pree-it; verb uh-proh-pree-eyt ]

adjective

1. suitable or fitting for a particular purpose, person, occasion, etc.:

   an appropriate example;

   an appropriate dress.

   Synonyms: meet, pertinent, becoming, due, proper, suited, felicitous, apt, befitting

   Antonyms: inept, inappropriate, unsuitable

2. belonging to or peculiar to a person; proper:

   Each played his appropriate part.

verb (used with object)

, ap·pro·pri·at·ed, ap·pro·pri·at·ing.

1. to set apart, authorize, or legislate for some specific purpose or use:

   The legislature appropriated funds for the university.

   Synonyms: assign, allocate, apportion

2. to take to or for oneself; take possession of.
3. to take without permission or consent; seize; expropriate:

   He appropriated the trust funds for himself.

4. to steal, especially to commit petty theft.

appropriate

adjective

1. right or suitable; fitting
2. rare.
   particular; own

   they had their appropriate methods

verb

1. to take for one's own use, esp illegally or without permission
2. to put aside (funds, etc) for a particular purpose or person

Derived Forms

• apˈpropriˌator, noun
• apˈpropriative, adjective
• apˈpropriateness, noun
• apˈpropriable, adjective
• apˈpropriately, adverb

Other Words From

• ap·pro·pri·ate·ly adverb
• ap·pro·pri·ate·ness noun
• ap·pro·pri·a·tive [uh, -, proh, -pree-ey-tiv, -, uh, -tiv], adjective
• ap·pro·pri·a·tive·ness noun
• ap·pro·pri·a·tor noun
• non·ap·pro·pri·a·tive adjective
• qua·si-ap·pro·pri·ate adjective
• re·ap·pro·pri·ate verb (used with object) reappropriated reappropriating
• well-ap·pro·pri·at·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of appropriate¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Late Latin appropriātus “made one's own” (past participle of appropriāre ), equivalent to Latin ap- ap- ¹ + propri(us) “one's own, special, particular” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of appropriate¹

C15: from Late Latin appropriāre to make one's own, from Latin proprius one's own; see proper

Example Sentences

I think the response of the French government so far has been pretty appropriate in that regard.

From The Daily Beast

The art of leadership is the ability to move between the two poles at the appropriate times.

From The Daily Beast

One hundred days before the election seems appropriate time limit for a campaign.

From The Daily Beast

It is indeed the human being's natural and appropriate response to danger.

From The Daily Beast

The names of the three girls were entered into the appropriate databases, and their passports were flagged.

From The Daily Beast

So they often occured mid-paragraph; here they have been moved to a more appropriate place.

From Project Gutenberg

Movement to know that she was attired in appropriate costume—short frock, biped continuations and a mannish oil-skin hat.

From Project Gutenberg

Application of gentle heat or appropriate chemicals will serve to differentiate them.

From Project Gutenberg

If you are of a different opinion, Mrs. Dodd, I will reconsider the matter; of course it would be most appropriate.

From Project Gutenberg

Track of the count may be kept by placing a mark for each leukocyte in its appropriate column, ruled upon paper.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• applicable
• apt
• convenient
• correct
• fitting
• good
• opportune
• pertinent
• proper
• relevant
• true
• useful