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
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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.
By 2019, the company was aware “the YouTube experience in K-12 schools is broken” due to ads and inappropriate content.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026
He also railed against O’Donnell for quoting that portion of the manifesto, saying it was inappropriate to do so.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026
“CMS does not have evidence of inappropriate denials currently,” a CMS spokesperson added.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026
He said he had been ready to give the "most inappropriate speech ever made" but would now be "very boring" when the dinner was rescheduled.
From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026
She didn’t say one word about my inappropriate behavior.
From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor
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.
