apropos

[ ap-ruh-poh ]

adverb

1. fitting; at the right time; to the purpose; opportunely.
2. Obsolete. by the way.

adjective

1. opportune; pertinent:

   apropos remarks.

apropos

/ ˌæprəˈpəʊ /

adjective

1. appropriate; pertinent

adverb

1. appropriately or pertinently
2. by the way; incidentally
3. apropos of
   apropos of preposition with regard to; in respect of

Word History and Origins

Origin of apropos¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from French à propos literally, “to purpose,” from Latin ad prōpositum; ad-, proposition

Word History and Origins

Origin of apropos¹

C17: from French à propos to the purpose

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. apropos of, with reference to; in respect or regard to:

   apropos of the preceding statement.

Example Sentences

So, apropos of nothing, I need to ask you about one last thing.

From The Daily Beast

There was the apropos of nothing American flag plastered everywhere.

From The Daily Beast

Because stories have to be “apropos,” they have to come at the right moment, the right sip of wine.

From The Daily Beast

Apropos inflation, the government could try to inflate its way out of this crisis, covering the deficit by printing money.

From The Daily Beast

But another Dimon quote that got less attention was more apropos.

From The Daily Beast

Going back, Liszt indulged in a little graceful badinage apropos of the concerto.

From Project Gutenberg

After the preceding article was in type, we received, in the same mail, two letters that are so apropos that we reproduce them.

From Project Gutenberg

And he said: One, whom thou art lucky not to know: and yet, his name is apropos.

From Project Gutenberg

Apropos to coffee, we all laughed heartily one day when some one recalled the verses of the poetess Druzbacka.

From Project Gutenberg

Then she said, apropos of nothing but the last of her wandering thoughts: “Have you ever seen a man killed?”

From Project Gutenberg