¹proper

adjective prop·er \ˈprä-pər\

: correct according to social or moral rules

: behaving in a way that is correct according to social or moral rules

: exactly correct

Full Definition of PROPER

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

: belonging characteristically to a species or individual : peculiar

chiefly dialect : good-looking, handsome

: very good : excellent

chiefly British : utter, absolute

: strictly limited to a specified thing, place, or idea <the city proper>

a : strictly accurate : correct

b archaic : virtuous, respectable

c : strictly decorous : genteel

: marked by suitability, rightness, or appropriateness : fit

: being a mathematical subset (as a subgroup) that does not contain all the elements of the inclusive set from which it is derived

— prop·er·ly adverb

— prop·er·ness noun

See proper defined for English-language learners

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Origin of PROPER

Middle English propre proper, own, from Anglo-French, from Latin proprius own

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PROPER

Synonyms: befitting, correct, decent, decorous, de rigueur, genteel, nice, polite, respectable, seemly

Antonyms: improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, ungenteel, unseemly

Synonym Discussion of PROPER

fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance. fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action <fit for battle>. suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands <clothes suitable for camping>. meet suggests a just proportioning <meet payment>. proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom <proper acknowledgement>. appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness <an appropriate gift>. fitting implies harmony of mood or tone <a fitting end>. apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination <apt quotations>. happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate <a happy choice of words>. felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful <a felicitous phrase>.