inappropriate
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- inappropriately adverb
- inappropriateness noun
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Nothing But the Truth
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Game Changer
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
In the other race, a longtime judge is under fire from his challenger over courtroom comments an outside commission found inappropriate, prompting admonishment.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
Hiremath said in an email that he strongly disagreed with the characterization and said it was inappropriate to divulge board deliberations.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
After thinking a young girl's outfit in an airport was inappropriate, she started to ruminate over why those beliefs appeared in the first place.
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
“CMS does not have evidence of inappropriate denials currently,” a CMS spokesperson added.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026
I wondered what he would say if he found me speaking for such an inappropriate length of time with his daughter.
From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini
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.
