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.
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correctly.
His recent statement gave the wrong impression and does not properly reflect where he stands on the issue.
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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.
He was by this time cooler towards Richard, very much vexed at what he had just heard; he could not help remembering that marriage with Alois would have been the proper reply to scandalous report.
From The Life and Death of Richard Yea-and-Nay by Hewlett, Maurice Henry
Captain Macdonald, of the 78th Highlanders, had served in Holland, and knew the proper reply to the challenge of a French sentry.
From The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation Volume 1 by Roger, Charles
I should have heard his pretext for conveying my daughter to Guastalla, and I could have prepared a proper reply.
From The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the Wise by Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim
Just then, even had she known the proper reply to make, she couldn't have voiced it.
From Missy by Gatlin, Dana
Should what is said wound your honour or your moral character, there is but one proper reply, which I hope you will never be obliged to have recourse to.
From The Young Gentleman and Lady's Monitor, and English Teacher's Assistant by Moore, John Hamilton
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.
