impropriety

[ im-pruh-prahy-i-tee ]

/ ˌɪm prəˈpraɪ ɪ ti /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impropriety ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural im·pro·pri·e·ties for 4, 5.

the quality or condition of being improper; incorrectness.

inappropriateness; unsuitableness.

unseemliness; indecorousness.

an erroneous or unsuitable expression, act, etc.

an improper use of a word or phrase.

Nearby words

improper, improper fraction, improper integral, improperia, impropriate, impropriety, improv, improve, improve on, improvement, improver

Origin of impropriety

From the Late Latin word improprietās, dating back to 1605–15. See im-², propriety

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for impropriety

In these two cases, something other than ideology was, at least ostensibly, at stake—qualifications or some kind of impropriety.
The Supreme Court’s Coming Paralysis|Jeff Greenfield|July 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At some funds, the mere suggestion of impropriety can prove fatal, as investors flee.
The Insider-Trading Cloud Hanging Over SAC Capital’s Steven A. Cohen|Daniel Gross|November 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
John Barry on the lonely life of the general—and the early hints of impropriety.
Early Signs of General Petraeus’s Extramarital Affair|John Barry|November 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
So far Mitt Romney has run a careful, disciplined campaign that has avoided the slightest whiff of impropriety.
Romney Accepts Maximum Campaign Donation From Man Whose Company Owns Penthouse|Ben Jacobs|February 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Hoover preached that even the appearance of impropriety must be avoided.
Hoover’s Secret Files|Ronald Kessler|August 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Time and reflection caused Captain Whipple to see the impropriety of the traffic and entirely abandon it at an early day.
Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution|L. Carroll Judson
But Louvois felt the impropriety as well as Fénelon, and advised the King not thus to commit himself.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume VII|John Lord
His folly, whether in his actions or speeches, comes under the head of impropriety of intention.
Hazlitt on English Literature|Jacob Zeitlin
Smoking required, impropriety allowed, and complete liberty, with as little music as possible.
Memories of a Musical Life|William Mason
In that case the under garments are never taken off, and no consciousness of impropriety or indelicacy of feeling is manifested.
A New Guide for Emigrants to the West|J. M. Peck

British Dictionary definitions for impropriety

impropriety

/ (ˌɪmprəˈpraɪɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

lack of propriety; indecency; indecorum

an improper act or use

the state of being improper

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for impropriety

impropriety

1610s, "quality or fact of being improper," from French impropriété (16c.), from Latin improprietas, from improprius (see improper). As "improper thing," 1670s.

impropriety

noun, plural im·pro·pri·e·ties for 4, 5.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of impropriety

Examples from the Web for impropriety

British Dictionary definitions for impropriety

impropriety

noun plural -ties

Word Origin and History for impropriety

impropriety