inappropriate
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inappropriate
First recorded in 1795–1805; in- 3 + appropriate
Explanation
The word "appropriate" means correct or proper and since the little prefix "in" turns its meaning around, something inappropriate is considered not proper or suitable. Nowadays, it seems, anything goes. Yet good manners and standards prevail, and some things are simply inappropriate — such as taking a toddler to a violent movie, or making jokes at someone else's expense. You wouldn't show your future father-in-law naked pictures of his daughter or wear a bathing suit to a state dinner. Those actions are simply inappropriate.
Vocabulary lists containing inappropriate
Fish in a Tree
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Nothing But the Truth
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Game Changer
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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.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon -- whose National Party governs in a coalition with NZ First -- has condemned Peter's "inappropriate attention-seeking" comments.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
At the time, Leto also denied any inappropriate conduct.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
But it is wildly inappropriate for the ordinary uses of AI.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
NI water added that pollution incidents could also be caused by "inappropriate flushing" of items such as baby wipes.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
We “gossiped” for a couple minutes, trying to hold back any inappropriate laughter—the kind that would’ve given us away.
From "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher
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.
