PROPER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does proper mean? 

• PROPER (adjective)
  The adjective PROPER has 4 senses:

1. marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

2. having all the qualities typical of the thing specified

3. limited to the thing specified

4. appropriate for a condition or purpose or occasion or a person's character, needs

  Familiarity information: PROPER used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PROPER (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

Context example:

proper manners

Similar:

becoming; comely; comme il faut; decorous; seemly (according with custom or propriety)

correct; right (socially right or correct)

correct; right (in accord with accepted standards of usage or procedure)

decent; fitting (in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion)

halal; kosher (proper or legitimate)

priggish; prim; prissy; prudish; puritanical; square-toed; straight-laced; straightlaced; strait-laced; straitlaced; tight-laced; victorian (exaggeratedly proper)

Also:

appropriate (suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc)

correct; right (free from error; especially conforming to fact or truth)

decent (conforming to conventions of sexual behavior)

decorous (characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct)

right (in conformance with justice or law or morality)

Attribute:

correctitude; properness; propriety (correct or appropriate behavior)

Antonym:

improper (not suitable or right or appropriate)

Derivation:

properness (correct or appropriate behavior)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Having all the qualities typical of the thing specified

Context example:

he finally has a proper job

Similar:

real (no less than what is stated; worthy of the name)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Limited to the thing specified

Context example:

his claim is connected with the deed proper

Similar:

specific ((sometimes followed by 'to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Appropriate for a condition or purpose or occasion or a person's character, needs

Synonyms:

proper; right

Context example:

she is not suitable for the position

Similar:

appropriate (suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc)

Derivation:

properness (correct or appropriate behavior)

 Context examples 

There was no want of respect in the young man's address; and Fanny's reception of it was so proper and modest, so calm and uninviting, that he had nothing to censure in her.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

He wrote a letter to poor Mrs. Weston, to congratulate her, and a very proper, handsome letter it was.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

And why shouldn't he, if he thinks proper!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It would excite no proper interest there.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

A property indicating a class of food components required for proper health and that are typically consumed in microgram or milligram amounts.

(Micronutrient, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)

This mechanism helps to maintain proper muscle tension or tone.

(Muscle Spindle, NCI Thesaurus)

A familiar or shortened form of a proper name.

(Nickname, NCI Thesaurus)

Proper hand washing and safe food preparation may help prevent infections.

(Norovirus Infections, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Or he'll get another seat for you, and that isn't proper when you weren't asked.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I know of no submission that IS proper for me to make.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)