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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › proper

   • Cached

   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.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › proper

   • Cached

   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.

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

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › proper

   Something proper is correct or right. There's a proper fork to use for salad, and a proper way to dress for a wedding. Things that are proper fit the situation — they're the right thing to do, because of custom or manners. A swear word is the opposite of proper language.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   PROPER definition: 1. real, satisfactory, suitable, or correct: 2. showing standards of behaviour that are socially…. Learn more.

6. www.thefreedictionary.com › properProper - definition of proper by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › proper

   • Cached

   1. Characterized by appropriateness or suitability; fitting: the proper knife for cutting bread; not a proper moment for a joke. 2. Called for by rules or conventions; correct: the proper form for a business letter. 3. Strictly following rules or conventions, especially in social behavior; seemly: a proper lady; a proper gentleman. 4. a.

7. www.yourdictionary.com › properProper Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › proper

   • Cached

   Characterized by appropriateness or suitability; fitting. The proper knife for cutting bread; not a proper moment for a joke. American Heritage. Specially adapted or suitable to a specific purpose or specific conditions; appropriate. The proper tool for a job.

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionaryPROPER definition in American English | Collins English ...

   www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   4 days ago · The proper thing is the one that is correct or most suitable. The Supreme Court will ensure that the proper procedures have been followed. Synonyms: correct , accepted , established , appropriate More Synonyms of proper

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   Definition of proper adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

10. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishPROPER | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

    • Cached

    referring to the main or most important part of something: I live outside Cambridge - I don't live in the city proper. (Definition of proper from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

11. www.dictionary.com › browse › propernessPROPER Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

    www.dictionary.com › browse › properness

    • Cached

    Proper definition: adapted or appropriate to the purpose or circumstances; fit; suitable. See examples of PROPER used in a sentence.