impropriety

American  

[im-pruh-prahy-i-tee] / ˌɪm prəˈpraɪ ɪ ti /

noun

• improprieties
  plural

1. the quality or condition of being improper; incorrectness.

2. inappropriateness; unsuitableness.

3. unseemliness; indecorousness.

4. an erroneous or unsuitable expression, act, etc.

5. an improper use of a word or phrase.

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impropriety British  

/ ˌɪmprəˈpraɪɪtɪ /

noun

1. lack of propriety; indecency; indecorum

2. an improper act or use

3. the state of being improper

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• improprieties
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of impropriety

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

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Explanation

When the boss's husband shows up at a formal dinner party and proceeds to stuff his pockets full of hors d'oeuvres, no one dares to mention his impropriety above a whisper, especially to the boss. Impropriety is a violation of a rule of behavior, manners, or etiquette. So while it is fitting and proper to wear a bikini top and a sarong to the beach, to do so at church would be considered an impropriety. Some find a bit of impropriety charming. Somerset Maugham went so far as to say, “Impropriety is the soul of wit.”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

impropriety improprieties

They and the firm have denied any impropriety.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

The ECI has rejected allegations of impropriety, saying the revision was intended to remove duplicate and ineligible voters.

From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2026

This last-minute legitimization would later allow Sand to legally inherit her father’s estate; it also established the uneasy balance between respectability and impropriety that would come to dominate her life.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

Through all of the murky questions about the differences between power and glory, decency and impropriety, De Palma lands on a remarkable base of human connection that elevates “Blow Out” beyond the average thriller.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

But I am so worried I might do something to disappoint the Nielsens that I avoid any situation that might lead to impropriety.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

A wide-ranging probe by the department’s internal watchdog is scrutinizing potential improprieties in the contracting process, including evidence of personal enrichment by top officials, report Tarini Parti, Josh Dawsey, Michelle Hackman and Summer Said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

Clark and the union had engaged separate attorneys as federal authorities investigated alleged financial improprieties within the MLBPA, an affiliated licensing company and an affiliated youth sports venture.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026

The prime minister's ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, said he had "not identified evidence of improprieties" but it was "regrettable" that Siddiq had not been more alert to the "potential reputational risks" of the connection.

From BBC ● Feb. 2, 2026

He’d been ousted from the Bears club, presumably because of the financial improprieties, and now he was coaching an adult group, called a masters team, on the university campus.

From Salon ● Aug. 3, 2024

Yet there were some circumstances, consequent to the arrangement of the pictures, with which the artists were very justly dissatisfied; they were occasioned by the following improprieties.

From Six Centuries of Painting by Randall Davies

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Related Words

• indecency

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