proper
1 of 3adjective
prop·er ˈprä-pər 
1
a
: referring to one individual only
b
: belonging to one : own
c
: appointed for the liturgy of a particular day
d
: represented heraldically in natural color
2
: belonging characteristically to a species or individual : peculiar
3
chiefly dialectal : good-looking, handsome
4
: very good : excellent
5
chiefly British : utter, absolute
6
: strictly limited to a specified thing, place, or idea
the city proper
7
a
: strictly accurate : correct
b
archaic : virtuous, respectable
c
: strictly decorous : genteel
8
: marked by suitability, rightness, or appropriateness : fit
9
: being a mathematical subset (such as a subgroup) that does not contain all the elements of the inclusive set from which it is derived
properness noun
proper
2 of 3noun
1
: the parts of the Mass that vary according to the liturgical calendar
2
: the part of a missal or breviary containing the proper of the Mass and the offices proper to the holy days of the liturgical year
proper
3 of 3adverb
chiefly dialectal
: in a thorough manner : completely
Synonyms
Adjective
- befitting
- correct
- decent
- decorous
- de rigueur
- genteel
- nice
- polite
- respectable
- seemly
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective It is not proper to speak that way. The children need to learn proper behavior. It would not be proper for you to borrow the ladder without asking first. She is a very prim and proper young lady. Is this the proper spelling of your name? You need to eat a proper meal instead of junk food. Each step must be done in the proper order. Adverb They beat us good and proper. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
From Staff Reports, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2022 With proper care, this sponge can last a while without getting riddled with bacteria. Jamie Wilson, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 The health care system has a lot of biases that are baked right in, making a timely diagnosis of and proper care for heart failure a serious challenge. Sara Gaynes Levy, SELF, 31 Aug. 2022 Her case was split off from the larger suit, which also included a second woman who had been pregnant and alleged she was denied proper medical care by jail staff and subsequently lost her baby in childbirth. Tommy Mcardle, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2022 Its efforts, however, were halted by federal courts, including the Supreme Court, which in June 2020 said officials had not followed the proper procedures to terminate the program. Camilo Montoya-galvez, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2022 To keep your porch and patio furniture looking its best for another season, proper care must be taken before winter weather hits. Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2022 The Secret Service has insisted that proper procedures were followed. Jim Tankersley, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2022 Failing to implement proper security procedures to monitor foot traffic. Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 30 July 2022 Matthew Cappucci, Anchorage Daily News, 20 July 2022 Oklahoma City proper spiked to 110 degrees for the first in a decade on Tuesday. Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 18 July 2022 San Francisco proper appeared to be the one bright spot, seeing homelessness decline slightly. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 18 May 2022 Eventually, the teachers made their way to a back room, called the archive proper. al, 14 July 2022 Specifically, to the mountains flanking the valley proper, known for producing complex, dark-fruited, deeply structured Cabernets. Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 26 June 2022 Right now, even ahead of Prime Day proper, there are several brands available for great prices. Brittany Vincent, SELF, 22 June 2022 That fascination is playing out at the moment not only on a stage in Cambridge, but in Boston proper, too. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 15 June 2022 Afterward, head down to the Circle proper for the kickoff of the See You at the Circle concert series with the go-go sound of the Experience Band and Show and powerhouse neo-soul singer Deborah Bond. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 10 June 2022 Matt Jancer, Wired, 20 Nov. 2021 Another safety consideration has to do with injury risk: Wearing proper-fitting shoes can help prevent injury, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons says. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Dec. 2020 Just as there’s something to be said for proper-fitting women’s flannels, there’s also something to be said for a good pair of men’s camp pants. Ben Romans, Outdoor Life, 26 Nov. 2020 The port proper is connected to Market Three by a narrow cement path that wends between an overgrown empty lot known as the Mountain, a permanent black puddle the size of a swimming pool, and the port’s 20-foot-high outside wall. Aurora Almendral, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2020 The carriage house proper boasted a livery room and space for six large equipages. John Freeman Gill, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2019 Big red signs warn them of the danger to their lives at the checkpoints that divide Israel proper from the Palestinian territories. Batya Ungar-sargon, The New York Review of Books, 17 June 2019 Around the globe the Jetta will be a lot of somebodies’ first proper, grown-up automobile—a chapter-of-life choice, a fork in the road. Dan Neil, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2018 Additionally, families can opt for grander accommodations than the lodge proper by renting from Spruce Peaks’ pool of private residences and mountain cabins. Paul Rubio, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Dec. 2017 See More
Adjective
Exotic animals illegally held in captivity are often in very poor condition when conservation officers discover them due to a lack of proper care, according to NMDGF. From Staff Reports, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2022 With proper care, this sponge can last a while without getting riddled with bacteria. Jamie Wilson, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 The health care system has a lot of biases that are baked right in, making a timely diagnosis of and proper care for heart failure a serious challenge. Sara Gaynes Levy, SELF, 31 Aug. 2022 Her case was split off from the larger suit, which also included a second woman who had been pregnant and alleged she was denied proper medical care by jail staff and subsequently lost her baby in childbirth. Tommy Mcardle, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2022 Its efforts, however, were halted by federal courts, including the Supreme Court, which in June 2020 said officials had not followed the proper procedures to terminate the program. Camilo Montoya-galvez, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2022 To keep your porch and patio furniture looking its best for another season, proper care must be taken before winter weather hits. Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2022 The Secret Service has insisted that proper procedures were followed. Jim Tankersley, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2022 Failing to implement proper security procedures to monitor foot traffic. Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 30 July 2022 Noun
Oklahoma City proper spiked to 110 degrees for the first time in a decade on Tuesday. Matthew Cappucci, Anchorage Daily News, 20 July 2022 Oklahoma City proper spiked to 110 degrees for the first in a decade on Tuesday. Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 18 July 2022 San Francisco proper appeared to be the one bright spot, seeing homelessness decline slightly. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 18 May 2022 Eventually, the teachers made their way to a back room, called the archive proper. al, 14 July 2022 Specifically, to the mountains flanking the valley proper, known for producing complex, dark-fruited, deeply structured Cabernets. Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 26 June 2022 Right now, even ahead of Prime Day proper, there are several brands available for great prices. Brittany Vincent, SELF, 22 June 2022 That fascination is playing out at the moment not only on a stage in Cambridge, but in Boston proper, too. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 15 June 2022 Afterward, head down to the Circle proper for the kickoff of the See You at the Circle concert series with the go-go sound of the Experience Band and Show and powerhouse neo-soul singer Deborah Bond. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 10 June 2022 Adverb
The Backpacker’s Field Manual is a well-rounded and comprehensive primer on how to select a proper-fitting pack, select a campsite, lower your physical impact on the trail, plan a backcountry menu, and learn about dozens of other topics. Matt Jancer, Wired, 20 Nov. 2021 Another safety consideration has to do with injury risk: Wearing proper-fitting shoes can help prevent injury, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons says. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Dec. 2020 Just as there’s something to be said for proper-fitting women’s flannels, there’s also something to be said for a good pair of men’s camp pants. Ben Romans, Outdoor Life, 26 Nov. 2020 The port proper is connected to Market Three by a narrow cement path that wends between an overgrown empty lot known as the Mountain, a permanent black puddle the size of a swimming pool, and the port’s 20-foot-high outside wall. Aurora Almendral, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2020 The carriage house proper boasted a livery room and space for six large equipages. John Freeman Gill, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2019 Big red signs warn them of the danger to their lives at the checkpoints that divide Israel proper from the Palestinian territories. Batya Ungar-sargon, The New York Review of Books, 17 June 2019 Around the globe the Jetta will be a lot of somebodies’ first proper, grown-up automobile—a chapter-of-life choice, a fork in the road. Dan Neil, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2018 Additionally, families can opt for grander accommodations than the lodge proper by renting from Spruce Peaks’ pool of private residences and mountain cabins. Paul Rubio, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Dec. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English propre proper, own, from Anglo-French, from Latin proprius own
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adverb
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing proper
Kids Definition
proper
adjective
prop·er ˈprä-pər
1
: correct according to social or moral rules
proper behavior
2
: appropriate entry 1, suitable
Use the proper tool for the job.
3
: strictly accurate : correct
"… do everything in the proper order … and I'm sure all will be well." E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan
E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan4
: referring to one individual only
a proper name
5
: considered in its true or basic meaning
Her family lived outside the city proper.
Legal Definition
proper
adjective
prop·er
: marked by fitness or correctness
especially : being in accordance with established procedure, law, jurisdiction, or standards of care, fairness, and justice
argued that the shareholder was acting in bad faith and lacked a proper purpose for examining its records
proper
adjective
1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste the formal ball called for proper attire—tuxedos and full-length gowns only Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- polite
- satisfactory
- respectable
- correct
- acceptable
- adequate
- nice
- decorous
- formal
- decent
- dress
- befitting
- elegant
- genteel
- seemly
- relevant
- gracious
- tolerable
- dignified
- prim
- de rigueur
- authorized
- allowed
- apt
- permitted
- material
- compatible
- congenial
- kosher
- dressy
- harmonious
- priggish
- stuffy
- stiff
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- improper
- incorrect
- inappropriate
- unsatisfactory
- unseemly
- informal
- indecent
- unacceptable
- casual
- unbecoming
- intolerable
- indelicate
- shabby
- indecorous
- forbidden
- barred
- prohibited
- tacky
- ungenteel
- seedy
- disallowed
- grungy
- proscribed
- awkward
- gauche
- banned
- outlawed
- ungraceful
- interdicted
2
as in correct
being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard there is really more than one proper way to pronounce that word in English Synonyms & Similar Words
- correct
- accurate
- true
- good
- precise
- right
- exact
- so
- logical
- valid
- legitimate
- perfect
- bang on
- veracious
- sound
- spot-on
- rigorous
- dead-on
- strict
- on-target
- on target
- flawless
- impeccable
- stringent
- faultless
- on the money
- infallible
- errorless
- letter-perfect
- inerrant
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- improper
- wrong
- false
- off
- incorrect
- inaccurate
- defective
- untrue
- faulty
- imperfect
- inexact
- flawed
3
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details we had nodded and said hello to one another but had never had a proper introduction Synonyms & Similar Words
- formal
- correct
- nice
- decorous
- ceremonious
- civil
- solemn
- punctilious
- stiff
- starchy
- polite
- stilted
- polished
- stately
- sober
- refined
- courtly
- chivalrous
- gallant
- stiff-necked
- courteous
- genteel
- red-carpet
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- improper
- informal
- casual
- unceremonious
- easygoing
- indecorous
- unmannerly
- laid-back
- impolite
- discourteous
- rude
4
as in appropriate
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation you'll need to have a proper diet if you want to lose weight Synonyms & Similar Words
- appropriate
- suitable
- fitting
- good
- fit
- fitted
- adequate
- right
- needed
- befitting
- applicable
- acceptable
- required
- balanced
- happy
- pretty
- meet
- in order
- requisite
- apt
- felicitous
- satisfactory
- becoming
- decent
- correct
- deserved
- competent
- able
- capable
- decorous
- just
- justified
- qualified
- rightful
- cut out
- condign
- serviceable
- respectable
- trained
- tolerable
- kosher
- harmonious
- seemly
- consonant
- pitch-perfect
- congruous
- companionate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- improper
- wrong
- unsuitable
- inappropriate
- unfit
- incapable
- inadequate
- unseemly
- indecent
- unfitting
- incongruous
- inapplicable
- unbecoming
- unhappy
- incompetent
- unsatisfactory
- inapt
- unqualified
- unskilled
- untrained
- unacceptable
- infelicitous
- inexpert
- inapposite
- unapt
- inept
- unmeet
- intolerable
- unskillful
- incorrect
- unbeseeming
- malapropos
- indecorous
- incompatible
- misbecoming
- uncongenial
- graceless
5
as in distinguishing
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group malaria and other diseases that are proper to the tropics Synonyms & Similar Words
- distinguishing
- characteristic
- distinctive
- distinct
- typical
- peculiar
- diagnostic
- individual
- identifying
- diagnostical
- classic
- general
- unmistakable
- usual
- discriminating
- symptomatic
- specific
- special
- normal
- common
- particular
- regular
- generic
- idiosyncratic
- identifiable
- model
- especial
- pronounced
- paradigmatic
- archetypal
- archetypical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- atypical
- uncharacteristic
- untypical
- nontypical
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of proper are appropriate, apt, felicitous, fitting, fit, happy, meet, and suitable. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.
proper acknowledgement
Although the words appropriate and proper have much in common, appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.
an appropriate gift
The meanings of apt and proper largely overlap; however, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.
apt quotations
While in some cases nearly identical to proper, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.
a felicitous phrase
In some situations, the words fit and proper are roughly equivalent. However, fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.
fit for battle
The words fitting and proper can be used in similar contexts, but fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.
a fitting end
The words happy and proper are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.
a happy choice of words
The synonyms meet and proper are sometimes interchangeable, but meet suggests a just proportioning.
meet payment
While the synonyms suitable and proper are close in meaning, suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.
clothes suitable for camping
- light red silver ore
- light repair
- light repeater
- light ruby silver ore
- light sails
- light show
- light sickness
- light skinned
- light sleeper
- light snow
- light speed
- light splitter
- light stand
- light stone
- light table
- light the way
- light therapy
- light trap
- light up
- light up (something)
- light up something
- light upon
- light valve
- light verse
- light vessel