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

Once airborne, they can cover two miles in roughly two minutes, allowing police to more quickly get eyes on crime scenes and determine the level of appropriate response.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Meta said Monday that "the transaction complied fully with applicable law", and "we anticipate an appropriate resolution".

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Fanwo urged operators of orphanages, schools, and similar institutions to always engage appropriately with the appropriate government agencies "especially in the current security climate".

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

“The transaction complied fully with applicable law. We anticipate an appropriate resolution to the inquiry,” said a company spokesperson.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

This book guides professionals to work through music, harnessing the processes that underlie music learning, and outlining developmentally appropriate methods to understand the role of music in children’s lives through play, games, creativity, and movement.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

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