proper

[ prop-er ]

/ ˈprɒp ər /

See synonyms for: proper / propers on Thesaurus.com

adjective

adapted or appropriate to the purpose or circumstances; fit; suitable: the proper time to plant strawberries.

conforming to established standards of behavior or manners; correct or decorous: a very proper young man.

fitting; right: It was only proper to bring a gift.

strictly belonging or applicable: the proper place for a stove.

belonging or pertaining exclusively or distinctly to a person, thing, or group.

strict; accurate: proper pronunciation.

in the strict sense of the word (usually used postpositively): Shellfish do not belong to the fishes proper. Is the school within Boston proper or in the suburbs?

Grammar.

(of a name, noun, or adjective) designating a particular person or thing and written in English with an initial capital letter, as Joan, Chicago, Monday, American.
having the force or function of a proper name: a proper adjective.

normal or regular.

belonging to oneself or itself; own.

Chiefly British Informal. complete or thorough: a proper thrashing.

Ecclesiastical. used only on a particular day or festival: the proper introit.

Heraldry. (of a device) depicted in its natural colors: an oak tree proper.

Informal.

excellent; capital; fine.
good-looking or handsome.

Mathematics. (of a subset of a set) not equal to the whole set.

Archaic. of good character; respectable.

adverb

Informal. thoroughly; completely.

noun

Ecclesiastical. a special office or special parts of an office appointed for a particular day or time.

SYNONYMS FOR proper

1 suited.

2, 3 meet, befitting, becoming, appropriate.

5 special, individual, peculiar.

6 precise, exact, just, true.

See synonyms for proper on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of proper

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English propre, from Old French, from Latin proprius “one's own”

OTHER WORDS FROM proper

prop·er·ly, adverbprop·er·ness, nounun·prop·er, adjective

Words nearby proper

propension, propensity, propenyl, propenyl group, propepsin, proper, proper adjective, properdin, properdin factor A, properdin factor B, properdin factor D

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for proper

Self-isolation in combination with easily available testing could be an excellent way to tamp down both viruses—according to epidemiologists, proper testing is a big factor in helping us return to relative normality.
The COVID-19 pandemic is about to collide with flu season. Here’s what to expect.|Sara Chodosh|August 26, 2020|Popular Science
You know, being able to tell right away if there’s irregular activity and report it to the proper authorities, that’s really an important part of the role that we play.
The Economics of Sports Gambling (Ep. 388 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|August 20, 2020|Freakonomics
Other vaccines bring in a unique, representative piece of the virus—a protein or a polysaccharide—that isn’t harmful, but still inspires the proper immune response.
Tackling covid|Tate Ryan-Mosley|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
They will also touch on new forecasting abilities with Google Analytics that have just been launched and proper measurement.
Google and Ignite Visibility to host advanced paid media event you won’t want to miss|Sponsored Content: Ignite Visibility|August 12, 2020|Search Engine Land

Besides, proper implementation of VSM enables the following benefits.
Defining value stream management for SEO business owners|Connie Benton|August 11, 2020|Search Engine Watch
We need to recover and grow the idea that the proper answer to bad speech is more and better speech.
How the PC Police Threaten Free Speech|Nick Gillespie|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He could deliver a quick, effective speech, or hold a proper press conference.
Obama’s Pot Policy Is Refer Madness|James Poulos|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But those incidents are due to mistakes and leaks, not proper fracking procedures.
New York’s Conservative Fracking Ban|Jay Michaelson|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A portrait of him was done once in which the collar point was made to sit in its proper place.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Proper use could lead to weight loss and reduction in gastric reflux.
Nothing Says I Love You Like Data|The Daily Beast|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Above all things, integrity is their portion and proper virtue.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood
I was told that the bones were not replaced but that sticks were inserted to maintain the fingers in proper shape.
The Medicine-Men of the Apache. (1892 N 09 / 1887-1888 (pages 443-604))|John G. Bourke
We find, then, that even for this remaining division of human activities, scientific culture is the proper preparation.
Essays on Education and Kindred Subjects|Herbert Spencer
When the first sale is made, the name and address are entered on one of these cards, and the date indicated in the proper column.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 1|Various
The proper word, however, was auctio, and the auctioneer was called auctor.
Dealings With The Dead|A Sexton of the Old School

British Dictionary definitions for proper

proper

/ (ˈprɒpə) /

adjective

(usually prenominal) appropriate or suited for some purposein its proper place

correct in behaviour or conduct

excessively correct in conduct; vigorously moral

up to a required or regular standard

(immediately postpositive) (of an object, quality, etc) referred to or named specifically so as to exclude anything not directly connected with ithis claim is connected with the deed proper

(postpositive foll by to) belonging to or characteristic of a person or thing

(prenominal) British informal (intensifier)I felt a proper fool

(usually postpositive) (of heraldic colours) considered correct for the natural colour of the object or emblem depictedthree martlets proper

maths logic (of a relation) distinguished from a weaker relation by excluding the case where the relata are identical. For example, every set is a subset of itself, but a proper subset must exclude at least one member of the containing setSee also strict (def. 6)

archaic pleasant or good

adverb

British dialect (intensifier)he's proper stupid

good and proper informal thoroughlyto get drunk good and proper

noun

the parts of the Mass that vary according to the particular day or feast on which the Mass is celebratedCompare ordinary (def. 10)

Derived forms of proper

properly, adverbproperness, noun

Word Origin for proper

C13: via Old French from Latin prōprius special

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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proper

adjective

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Origin of proper

OTHER WORDS FROM proper

Words nearby proper

Example sentences from the Web for proper

British Dictionary definitions for proper

adjective

adverb

noun

Derived forms of proper

Word Origin for proper

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

proper

adjective

adverb

noun

SYNONYMS FOR proper

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of proper

OTHER WORDS FROM proper

Words nearby proper

Words related to proper

Example sentences from the Web for proper

British Dictionary definitions for proper

adjective

adverb

noun

Derived forms of proper

Word Origin for proper