impropriety
Americannoun
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the quality or condition of being improper; incorrectness.
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inappropriateness; unsuitableness.
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unseemliness; indecorousness.
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an erroneous or unsuitable expression, act, etc.
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an improper use of a word or phrase.
noun
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lack of propriety; indecency; indecorum
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an improper act or use
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the state of being improper
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of impropriety
From the Late Latin word improprietās, dating back to 1605–15. See im- 2, propriety
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.”
Vocabulary lists containing impropriety
"The Declaration of Sentiments" (1848)
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Simply Scandalous!
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Copper Sun
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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.
Impropriety and dishonesty by members of our State’s judiciary cause real harm to all South Carolinians.
From Fox News • Mar. 2, 2022
Impropriety was the alleged crime, and female ambition the real cause.
From Salon • Mar. 16, 2015
Impropriety of the term 'law' as applied to the operations of Nature.
From Moral Science; a Compendium of Ethics by Bain, Alexander
"Well, little Impropriety, what excuse have you to hand?"
From The Passionate Elopement by MacKenzie, Compton
Impropriety could be overlooked—it could pass, where a millionaire was concerned, under the heading of unconventionality; but such glaring selfishness might end in being fatal to his reputation.
From South Wind by Douglas, Norman
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.
