properly
Americanadverb
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in a way that is appropriate to the purpose or circumstances; suitably.
Students should ensure that a current valid parking permit is properly displayed on their vehicle.
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correctly.
His recent statement gave the wrong impression and does not properly reflect where he stands on the issue.
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in a way that conforms to established standards of behavior or manners.
They usually dress very properly, but sometimes a bit daringly, hoping to start the latest new trend.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of properly
Vocabulary lists containing properly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When these genes stop working properly or are present at low levels, cancer risk can rise.
From Science Daily • Jun. 20, 2026
"The road risk presented by drivers who aren't properly assessed is massive."
From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026
“Once fully implemented, Mayor Bass’ CIP will enable Los Angeles to properly plan, track, fund and deliver on multi-year projects like Active Transportation Projects with greater accountability, clarity, and purpose.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026
He added that he puts no stock in calls for a pause in AI development to properly weigh the technology's dangers, issued in early June by American giants including OpenAI and Anthropic.
From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026
The doctor, I told Karl, thought she couldn’t have eaten properly for weeks, maybe months, before she came in.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
