impropriety
Americannoun
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improprieties
plural
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the quality or condition of being improper; incorrectness.
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inappropriateness; unsuitableness.
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unseemliness; indecorousness.
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an erroneous or unsuitable expression, act, etc.
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an improper use of a word or phrase.
noun
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lack of propriety; indecency; indecorum
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an improper act or use
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the state of being improper
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of impropriety
From the Late Latin word improprietās, dating back to 1605–15. See im- 2, propriety
Explanation
When the boss's husband shows up at a formal dinner party and proceeds to stuff his pockets full of hors d'oeuvres, no one dares to mention his impropriety above a whisper, especially to the boss. Impropriety is a violation of a rule of behavior, manners, or etiquette. So while it is fitting and proper to wear a bikini top and a sarong to the beach, to do so at church would be considered an impropriety. Some find a bit of impropriety charming. Somerset Maugham went so far as to say, “Impropriety is the soul of wit.”
Vocabulary lists containing impropriety
"The Declaration of Sentiments" (1848)
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Simply Scandalous!
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Copper Sun
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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.
See Examples For:
The ECI has rejected allegations of impropriety, saying the revision was intended to remove duplicate and ineligible voters.
From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2026
Ms. Curlee would need 10 times the courage to acknowledge the sins of her own agency, and not mainly for their impropriety.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
TWG Global — the holding company of Dodgers owner Mark Walter — rejected allegations of financial impropriety in the purchase and operation of the Dodgers and reiterated the team is not for sale.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
There is no evidence that Chopra observed any impropriety during his friendship with Jackson.
From Salon ● May 19, 2026
She thought a game was being played which she did not understand, but she was certain there had been an impropriety, or even an insult.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
A wide-ranging probe by the department’s internal watchdog is scrutinizing potential improprieties in the contracting process, including evidence of personal enrichment by top officials, report Tarini Parti, Josh Dawsey, Michelle Hackman and Summer Said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
The visit falls days after Bloomberg reported that two insurance companies controlled by Walter, as well as Guggenheim Partners, where Walter is chief executive, are being investigated by federal prosecutors for potential financial improprieties.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Sir Laurie said in his report that he had "not identified evidence of improprieties".
From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2025
He’d been ousted from the Bears club, presumably because of the financial improprieties, and now he was coaching an adult group, called a masters team, on the university campus.
From Salon ● Aug. 3, 2024
It is delightful, in fact, to see the gusto with which they anticipate innuendoes, and meet improprieties half way, with all the well-bred composure of the most fashionable audience.
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 15, August, 1851 by Various
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
