IMPROPERLY

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does improperly mean? 

• IMPROPERLY (adverb)
  The adverb IMPROPERLY has 1 sense:

1. in an improper way

  Familiarity information: IMPROPERLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IMPROPERLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In an improper way

Context example:

he checked whether the wound had healed improperly

Antonym:

properly (in the right manner; correctly; suitably)

Pertainym:

improper (not suitable or right or appropriate)

 Context examples 

Did you think me speaking improperly, lightly, irreverently on the subject?

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

How improperly had she been acting by Harriet!

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

A standardized rating scale developed and copyrighted by Inflexxicon, Inc. which is used to aid clinicians in determining if a patient may be improperly using opioids for the treatment of pain.

(Current Opioid Misuse Measure Questionnaire, NCI Thesaurus)

Even THEN, however, when fully determined on paying my addresses to her, I allowed myself most improperly to put off, from day to day, the moment of doing it, from an unwillingness to enter into an engagement while my circumstances were so greatly embarrassed.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

As to your foolishness and awkwardness, my dear Fanny, believe me, you never have a shadow of either, but in using the words so improperly.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

You will betray your feelings improperly, if you are too conscious and too quick, and appear to affix more meaning, or even quite all the meaning which may be affixed to it.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

I then saw him behaving, as it appeared to me, so very improperly and unfeelingly—I may speak of it now because it is all over—so improperly by poor Mr. Rushworth, not seeming to care how he exposed or hurt him, and paying attentions to my cousin Maria, which—in short, at the time of the play, I received an impression which will never be got over.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

She considered it all as nonsense, as mere trifling and gallantry, which meant only to deceive for the hour; she could not but feel that it was treating her improperly and unworthily, and in such a way as she had not deserved; but it was like himself, and entirely of a piece with what she had seen before; and she would not allow herself to shew half the displeasure she felt, because he had been conferring an obligation, which no want of delicacy on his part could make a trifle to her.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)