Synonyms

properly

American

[prop-er-lee] / ˈprɒp ər li /

adverb

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

unproperly adverb

Etymology

Origin of properly

proper ( def. ) + -ly

Vocabulary lists containing properly

Excerpt from "The Diary of a Young Girl"

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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.

She said just making sure her business was lined up to receive a refund has been costly, requiring more than six months of back-and-forth with customs officials to properly register in the agency's online system.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Oddly enough, “The Drama” was already resisting knee-jerk reactions before it was even properly released.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

The fecal disposal system, in a separate conduit, is working properly.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Pars and birdies were within reach again if I could execute properly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

“But, Jakob, to pack properly, I need to know where you’re taking me.”

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023