malapropos

American  

[mal-ap-ruh-poh] / ˌmæl æp rəˈpoʊ /

adjective

1. inappropriate; out of place; inopportune; untimely.

   a malapropos remark.

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adverb

1. inappropriately; inopportunely.

malapropos British  

/ ˌmælæprəˈpəʊ /

adjective

1. of an inappropriate or misapplied nature or kind

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adverb

1. in an inappropriate way or manner

noun

1. something inopportune or inappropriate

Etymology

Origin of malapropos

First recorded in 1660–70, malapropos is from French mal à propos “badly (suited) to the purpose”

Explanation

It would be malapropos to wear full clown makeup to your cousin's formal wedding. In other words, it wouldn't be appropriate. Use the adjective malapropos to describe something that is awkwardly unsuitable for the situation or setting at hand. Telling jokes at a funeral or bringing your pet piglet to tea at the Queen's castle would both be highly malapropos. The word comes from the French phrase mal à propos, literally "badly for the purpose." As it's French, you don't pronounce the final s.

Example Sentences

Now and then their comments, after the manner of their age, were keenly malapropos and occasioned a sense of embarrassment.

From The Storm Centre by Murfree, Mary Noailles

This malapropos and singularly inconsistent suggestion broke up the assemblage at once, in great disorder—volunteering being just the last thing that any one thought of doing.

From The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers. Series 2 by Newell, R. H. (Robert Henry)

Fanny made malapropos speeches sometimes still, but they were never unkindly meant now, and she looked with very loving eyes from one sister to the other.

From Janet's Love and Service by Robertson, Margaret M. (Margaret Murray)

He fancied that the whole incident had been a most unfortunate malapropos, and that Balfour was sinking under shame and confusion.

From Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume II. by Lever, Charles James

To him the man habitually seemed as malapropos as a spiteful old lady.

From Queed by Crosby, Raymond Moreau