Proper
Definition
Proper is an adjective that refers to something that is suitable, correct, or appropriate for a particular purpose or situation. It can also mean conforming to accepted standards of behavior or morality.
Parts of Speech
- Adjective
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈprɑː.pɚ/
- Respelling: PRAH-puhr
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈprɒp.ə/
- Respelling: PROP-uh
Etymology
The word "proper" originates from the Latin "proprius," meaning "one's own" or "particular." It was adopted into Old French as "propre" and entered Middle English in the 13th century.
Derivatives
- Properly (adverb)
- Propriety (noun)
- Improper (adjective)
- Properness (noun)
- Overproper (adjective)
Synonyms
- Appropriate
- Correct
- Suitable
Antonyms
- Improper
- Unsuitable
- Incorrect
Usage
The term "proper" is used in a variety of contexts to indicate correctness or suitability. Examples include "The proper tools are necessary for the job" and "He behaved in a proper manner during the ceremony."
Related Terms
- Appropriateness: The quality of being suitable for a specific purpose.
- Propriety: Conformity to accepted standards of behavior.
- Suitability: The quality of being appropriate or fit.
Detailed Definitions
Adjective
- Suitable or appropriate for a purpose: Refers to something that fits the situation or requirement.
- Example: "She wore proper attire for the formal event."
- Conforming to accepted standards of behavior: Refers to behavior that is morally or socially correct.
- Example: "The children were taught to have proper manners."
- Accurate or correct: Refers to something that is free from error.
- Example: "He gave the proper answer to the question."
- Exclusive or specific to something: Refers to something particular or distinct.
- Example: "The city proper is quite small compared to the surrounding suburbs."
proper
Proper means suitable and right for a situation, like wearing boots in deep mud.
She wore proper attire for the formal event.
The children were taught to have proper manners.
🇨🇳 Mandarin
- 适当的 (Proper as in suitable or appropriate): Shìdàng de
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʂɻ̩˥˩ taŋ˥˩ də/
- Respelling in English: Shih-dang de
- 正确的 (Proper as in correct or right): Zhèngquè de
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʈʂəŋ˥˩ t͡ɕʰyɛ˥˥ də/
- Respelling in English: Zheng-chue de
🇮🇳 Hindi
- उचित (Proper as in suitable or appropriate): Uchit
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʊtʃɪt/
- Respelling in English: U-chit
- सही (Proper as in correct or right): Sahi
- IPA Pronunciation: /səhiː/
- Respelling in English: Sa-hi
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Apropiado (Proper as in suitable or appropriate)
- IPA Pronunciation: /apɾopjaðo/
- Respelling in English: A-pro-pi-a-do
- Correcto (Proper as in correct or right)
- IPA Pronunciation: /koɾˈrekto/
- Respelling in English: Cor-rec-to
🇫🇷 French
- Approprié (Proper as in suitable or appropriate)
- IPA Pronunciation: /apʁɔpʁje/
- Respelling in English: A-pro-pri-e
- Correct (Proper as in correct or right)
- IPA Pronunciation: /kɔʁɛkt/
- Respelling in English: Cor-rect
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- مناسب (Proper as in suitable or appropriate): Munasib
- IPA Pronunciation: /muːnaːsɪb/
- Respelling in English: Mu-na-sib
- صحيح (Proper as in correct or right): Sahih
- IPA Pronunciation: /sˤɑħiːħ/
- Respelling in English: Sa-hih
🇧🇩 Bengali
- উপযুক্ত (Proper as in suitable or appropriate): Upojukto
- IPA Pronunciation: /upoɟukt̪o/
- Respelling in English: Upo-ju-kto
- সঠিক (Proper as in correct or right): Sathik
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃɔt̪ʰik/
- Respelling in English: Sa-thik
🇷🇺 Russian
- Правильно (Pravil'no): Correct
- IPA: /prɐˈvʲilʲnə/
- Respelling: pra-veel'-na
- Подходящий (Podkhodyashchiy): Suitable
- IPA: /pɐdxɐˈdʲæʂɕɨj/
- Respelling: pod-ho-dya-shchiy
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Apropriado (Proper as in suitable or appropriate)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɐpɾoˈpɾjadu/
- Respelling in English: A-pro-pri-a-do
- Correto (Proper as in correct or right)
- IPA Pronunciation: /koˈʁetu/
- Respelling in English: Cor-re-to
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Pantas (Proper as in suitable or appropriate)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pantas/
- Respelling in English: Pan-tas
- Benar (Proper as in correct or right)
- IPA Pronunciation: /bənar/
- Respelling in English: Be-nar
🇩🇪 German
- Angemessen (Proper as in suitable or appropriate)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʔaŋəˈmeːsn̩/
- Respelling in English: An-ge-me-sen
- Richtig (Proper as in correct or right)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈʁɪçtɪç/
- Respelling in English: Rih-ch-tih
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 適切な (Proper as in suitable or appropriate): Tekisetsu na
- IPA Pronunciation: /te̞kʲise̞t͡sɨᵝna̠/
- Respelling in English: Te-ki-setsu na
- 正しい (Proper as in correct or right): Tadashii
- IPA Pronunciation: /ta̠da̠ɕiː/
- Respelling in English: Ta-da-shii
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Phù hợp (Proper as in suitable or appropriate)
- IPA Pronunciation: /fʊ̈˨˩ hop̚˧ˀ˦/
- Respelling in English: Phu hop
- Đúng (Proper as in correct or right)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɗuŋ˧˥/
- Respelling in English: Dung
Proper
Definition
Proper typically refers to something that is correct or suitable, conforming to accepted standards of behavior or established procedures.
Parts of Speech
"Proper" can be used as an adjective and occasionally as an adverb.
Pronunciation
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈprɑː.pɚ/ in American English and /ˈprɒp.ər/ in British English.
- Respelling: British (PROH-puh), American (PRAH-pur).
Etymology
The term "proper" originates from the Old French word "propre," which means neat, appropriate, or fitting. This word is derived from the Latin term "proprius" meaning 'own, particular to oneself.'
Derivatives
- Properly
- Properness
- Impropriety
- Property
- Proprietary
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
- Correct
- Appropriate
- Suitable
Antonyms
- Improper
- Inappropriate
- Unfit
Usage and Related Terms
Usage:
- He maintains proper hygiene.
- That is not the proper way to behave in public.
Related terms:
- Propriety
- Properly
- Properness
Detailed Definition
As an adjective, "proper" is used to express:
- That something is suited or acceptable to the purpose or circumstances; right or correct: She has the proper qualifications for the job.
- That something belongs or relates exclusively or distinctly to a particular person or thing: The clothes were in their proper places.
- That something is absolute or thorough; complete: She was a proper mess after the incident.
As an adverb (used in informal British English), "proper" is used to emphasize that something is indeed the case: It was a proper good show.
🇰🇷 Korean
- 적절한 (Proper as in suitable or appropriate): Jeogjeolhan
- IPA Pronunciation: /t͡ɕʌ̹k̚.d͡ʑʌl.ɦan/
- Respelling in English: Jeok-jeol-han
- 올바른 (Proper as in correct or right): Olbareun
- IPA Pronunciation: /oːɭ.ba̠ɾɯ̽n/
- Respelling in English: Ol-ba-reun
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Uygun (Proper as in suitable or appropriate)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ujɟun/
- Respelling in English: Uy-gun
- Doğru (Proper as in correct or right)
- IPA Pronunciation: /doɰɾu/
- Respelling in English: Do-ru
🇵🇰 Urdu
- مناسب (Proper as in suitable or appropriate): Munasib
- IPA Pronunciation: /mʊˈnɑːsɪb/
- Respelling in English: Mu-na-sib
- صحیح (Proper as in correct or right): Sahih
- IPA Pronunciation: /sɑːˈhiː/
- Respelling in English: Sa-hih
