appropriate

American  

[uh-proh-pree-it, uh-proh-pree-eyt] / əˈproʊ pri ɪt, əˈproʊ priˌeɪt /

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.

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verb (used with object)

appropriated, appropriating

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 British  

adjective

1. right or suitable; fitting

2. rare particular; own

   they had their appropriate methods

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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

Other Word Forms

• appropriable adjective
• appropriately adverb
• appropriateness noun
• appropriative adjective
• appropriativeness noun
• appropriator noun
• nonappropriative adjective
• quasi-appropriate adjective
• reappropriate verb (used with object)
• well-appropriated adjective

Etymology

Origin of appropriate

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

Explanation

Something appropriate is correct and fits the situation. A sweater-vest with reindeer on it is appropriate holiday apparel, even if it's totally embarrassing. The adjective appropriate is used when something is suitable or fitting. It comes from the Latin appropriare, which means "to make something fit, to make something one's own." Going back even further, appropriate is related to the Latin word proprius, "to belong to a person, thing, or group." Another appropriate way to use this word is as a verb, meaning to steal or seize something, the way you'd appropriate your sister's sandwich if she left it sitting near you.

Example Sentences

"Everyone is very upset and sad and expects that appropriate action will be taken," he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Changing the statement along these lines would indicate that rate increases could be appropriate if inflation continues to run too far above the Fed’s target, the minutes said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

He called the ruling a “necessary and appropriate response to what is clearly an unprecedented situation.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

He said the Home Office "made manifest errors", including failing to provide "appropriate and sufficient reasons to justify" awarding the contract to MTC.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

“Brothers and sisters,” he began, “I prepared notes appropriate to a very depressed crowd. But I had a feeling from the moment I stepped into this room tonight that this is a celebration.”

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

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