proper (ˈprɒpə
)
Definitions
adjective
- (usually prenominal) appropriate or suited for some purpose ⇒
in its proper place
- correct in behaviour or conduct
- excessively correct in conduct; vigorously moral
- up to a required or regular standard
- (immediately postpositive) (of an object, quality, etc) referred to or named specifically so as to exclude anything not directly connected with it ⇒
his claim is connected with the deed proper
- (postpositive) to belonging to or characteristic of a person or thing
- (prenominal) British informal (intensifier) ⇒
I felt a proper fool
- (usually postpositive) (of heraldic colours) considered correct for the natural colour of the object or emblem depicted ⇒
three martlets proper
- mathematics logic (of a relation) distinguished from a weaker relation by excluding the case where the relata are identical. For example, every set is a subset of itself, but a proper subset must exclude at least one member of the containing set See also strict (sense 6)
- archaic pleasant or good
adverb
- British dialect (intensifier) ⇒
he's proper stupid
- See good and proper
noun
- the parts of the Mass that vary according to the particular day or feast on which the Mass is celebrated Compare ordinary (sense 10)
Alternative Forms
ˈproperly adverb ˈproperness nounWord Origin
C13: via Old French from Latin prōprius specialSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
correct,
accepted,
established,
appropriate,
right,
formal,
conventional,
accurate,
exact,
precise,
legitimate,
orthodox,
apt,
=
polite,
right,
becoming,
seemly,
fitting,
fit,
mannerly,
suitable,
decent,
gentlemanly,
refined,
respectable,
befitting,
genteel,
de rigueur,
ladylike,
meet,
decorous,
punctilious,
comme il faut,
Translations
- British English:
proper
You use proper to describe things that you consider to be real or satisfactory.I've just started a proper job with security, a pension, and good prospects.ˈprɒpə ADJECTIVE I've just started a proper job with security, a pension, and good prospects.
- Spanish:
apropiado
adj apropiada
- French:
correct
adj
- German:
echt
adj
- Chinese: 适当的 adj
- Arabic: مُنَاسِب adj
- Portuguese: próprio adj própria
- Russian: надлежащий adj надлежащая
- Croatian: pravi adj prava
- Czech: pravý adj
- Danish: korrekt adj
- Dutch: gepast adj
- Finnish: kunnon adj
- Greek: κατάλληλος adj κατάλληλη
- Italian: opportuno adj opportuna
- Japanese: 適切な no_posp
- Korean: 적합한 adj
- Norwegian: ekte adj
- Polish: właściwy adj właściwa
- Brazilian Portuguese: próprio adj própria
- European Spanish:
apropiado
adj apropiada
- Swedish: riktig adj riktigt
- Thai: ที่แท้จริง adj
- Turkish: doğru dürüst adj
- Vietnamese: thực sự adj
Usage examples
Jett has hardly had any time off, I mean proper time off, for the last four years.
, DEAD BEAT (2002)In Kendal, people are friendly and the place is small enough to still possess a proper sense of community.
Country Life (2004)Transition year presented an ideal opportunity to begin driver education, he said, in a proper controlled setting.
Irish Times (2002)It was 1953. By 1958 the showroom had been transformed into a proper store.
Glasgow Herald (2001)She wasn't a proper person, she decided one day, not lovable, or even likeable.
, WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS (2002)