properly
Americanadverb
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in a way that is appropriate to the purpose or circumstances; suitably.
Students should ensure that a current valid parking permit is properly displayed on their vehicle.
-
correctly.
His recent statement gave the wrong impression and does not properly reflect where he stands on the issue.
-
in a way that conforms to established standards of behavior or manners.
They usually dress very properly, but sometimes a bit daringly, hoping to start the latest new trend.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of properly
Vocabulary lists containing properly
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.
Human hands provide a simple example: Your left and right hands are mirror images, but a left hand cannot fit properly into a right-handed glove.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 4, 2026
"The Strait of Hormuz being not exactly closed, but not properly open, not free flowing, and that is hitting families at home," he said.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
"Our communities worked hard to make sure our voices were heard and that we are properly represented in the Senate," the organization said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
As Suleyman properly saw the constitution, it virtually took it as read that Claude could become conscious.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026
For almost a century, the inventor of a way to identify people was never properly identified.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
