Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

appropriate

[adjective uh-proh-pree-it; verb uh-proh-pree-eyt]
adjective
  1. suitable or fitting for a particular purpose, person, occasion, etc.: an appropriate example; an appropriate dress.
  2. belonging to or peculiar to a person; proper: Each played his appropriate part.
Show More
verb (used with object), ap·pro·pri·at·ed, ap·pro·pri·at·ing.
  1. to set apart, authorize, or legislate for some specific purpose or use: The legislature appropriated funds for the university.
  2. to take to or for oneself; take possession of.
  3. to take without permission or consent; seize; expropriate: He appropriated the trust funds for himself.
  4. to steal, especially to commit petty theft.
Show More

Origin of appropriate

1515–25; < Late Latin appropriātus made one's own (past participle of appropriāre), equivalent to Latin ap- ap-1 + propri(us) one's own + -ātus -ate1
Related formsap·pro·pri·ate·ly, adverbap·pro·pri·ate·ness, nounap·pro·pri·a·tive [uh-proh-pree-ey-tiv, -uh-tiv] /əˈproʊ priˌeɪ tɪv, -ə tɪv/, adjectiveap·pro·pri·a·tive·ness, nounap·pro·pri·a·tor, nounnon·ap·pro·pri·a·tive, adjectivequa·si-ap·pro·pri·ate, adjectivequa·si-ap·pro·pri·ate·ly, adverbre·ap·pro·pri·ate, verb (used with object), re·ap·pro·pri·at·ed, re·ap·pro·pri·at·ing.well-ap·pro·pri·at·ed, adjective
Can be confusedappropriate apropos expropriate

Synonyms

1. befitting, apt, meet, felicitous, suited, proper, due, becoming, pertinent. 3. apportion, allocate, assign.

Antonyms

1. unsuitable, inept.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for reappropriate

Historical Examples

  • Now you seek to reappropriate this water, or to have the right cancelled, and see where you wind up.

    The Iron Furrow

    George C. Shedd

British Dictionary definitions for reappropriate

appropriate

adjective (əˈprəʊprɪɪt)
  1. right or suitable; fitting
  2. rare particular; ownthey had their appropriate methods
Show More
verb (əˈprəʊprɪˌeɪt) (tr)
  1. to take for one's own use, esp illegally or without permission
  2. to put aside (funds, etc) for a particular purpose or person
Show More
Derived Formsappropriable, adjectiveappropriately, adverbappropriateness, nounappropriative, adjectiveappropriator, noun

Word Origin

C15: from Late Latin appropriāre to make one's own, from Latin proprius one's own; see proper
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

Word Origin and History for reappropriate

appropriate

v.

early 15c., "take possession of," from Late Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare, adpropriare (c.450) "to make one's own," from Latin ad- "to" (see ad-) + propriare "take as one's own," from proprius "one's own" (see proper). Related: Appropriated; appropriating.

Show More

appropriate

adj.

"specially suitable, proper," early 15c., from Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare (see appropriate (v.)). Related: Appropriately; appropriateness.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper