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   Prop·er

   /ˈpräpər/

   

   adjective

   • 1. truly what something is said or regarded to be; genuine: British "she's never had a proper job" Similar realgenuineactualtruebona fideinformal:kosher
   • ▪ strictly so called; in its true form: "some of the dos and don'ts in espionage proper"
   • ▪ used as an intensifier, especially in derogatory contexts: informal "she looked like a proper harlot" Similar completeabsoluterealperfecttotalthoroughthoroughgoingutterout-and-outpositiveunmitigatedconsummateinformal:rightfairarchaic:arrant
   • 2. of the required type; suitable or appropriate: "an artist needs the proper tools" Similar rightcorrectacceptedorthodoxconventionalestablishedofficialformalregularacceptableappropriatesuitablefittingaptduede règlearchaic:meetOpposite inappropriatewrong
   • ▪ according to or respecting recognized social standards or conventions; respectable, especially excessively so: "her parents' view of what was proper for a well-bred girl" Similar respectabledecorousseemlydecentrefinedladylikegentlemanlygenteelformalconventionalcorrectorthodoxpolitepunctilioussedatemodestdemurevirtuousbecomingbefittingfitdonecomme il fautOpposite improperunconventional
   • 3. belonging or relating exclusively or distinctively to; particular to: "the two elephant types proper to Africa and to southern Asia" Similar belongingrelatingpertainingrelatedrelevantuniquepeculiarassociated with
   • ▪ (of a psalm, lesson, prayer, etc.) appointed for a particular day, occasion, or season.
   • ▪ belonging to oneself or itself; own: archaic "to judge with my proper eyes"
   • 4. in the natural colors.
   • 5. (of a person) good-looking: archaic, dialect "he is a proper youth!"
   • 6. denoting a subset or subgroup that does not constitute the entire set or group, especially one that has more than one element.

   adverb

   • 1. satisfactorily or correctly: informal, dialect British "my eyes were all blurry and I couldn't see proper"
   • ▪ thoroughly: informal, dialect British "I had been fooled good and proper"

   noun

   • 1. the part of a church service that varies with the season or festival: "we go to the High Mass, with plainsong propers sung by the Ritual Choir"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French propre, from Latin proprius ‘one's own, special’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. properness noun

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • O

     1

   • P

     3

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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2. People also ask

   What does proper mean?

   • Rightly so called; strictly considered; as, Greece proper; the garden proper. Represented in its natural color; - said of any object used as a charge. Properly; hence, to a great degree; very; as, proper good. Marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness; Proper medical treatment Proper manners Limited to the thing specified;

   Appropriate vs. Proper — What’s the Difference?

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   What is the difference between appropriate and proper?

   • With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience. Appropriate implies suitability for a specific context or use, while proper suggests conformity to established standards or norms.

   Appropriate vs. Proper — What’s the Difference?

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   How do you know if something is proper?

   • Something is said to be proper if it is suitable or appropriate. For example, spring and summer are the proper seasons for growing plants because the weather is often warm and sunny, with frequent rain. Real-life examples: A parking lot is a proper place to leave your car. The South Pole is not the proper place to wear shorts.

   PROPER Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › properProper Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › proper

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word proper as an adjective, noun, and adverb. Find synonyms, examples, etymology, and related phrases of proper.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPROPER | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning of proper as an adjective and an adverb in English, with synonyms, antonyms, and usage examples. Find out how proper can express suitability, correctness, social acceptability, centrality, or completeness.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › properPROPER Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › proper

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   What is a basic definition of proper? Proper is an adjective that describes something that is appropriate, adheres to polite behavior, or is correct. Proper is also used in grammar to refer to nouns that identify specific people, places, or things.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › properProper - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › proper

   When things are proper, they're correct and suitable: they fit. Definitions of proper. adjective. marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness. “ proper medical treatment”. “ proper manners”. synonyms: appropriate. suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc.

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › properPROPER | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › proper

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   Learn the meaning of proper as an adjective and an adverb in English, with usage examples and pronunciation. Find out how to use proper to describe suitability, correctness, social acceptability, centrality, or completeness.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › properPROPER | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › proper

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   Learn the meaning of proper as an adjective in English, with different senses and usage examples. Find out how to use proper in sentences and how to translate it in other languages.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionproper adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation and examples of the adjective proper, which can mean right, appropriate, correct, natural or complete. Find out the difference between proper and improper, and the idioms and collocations with proper.