Definition of 'proper'
1. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use proper to describe things that you consider to be real and satisfactory rather than inadequate in some way.
3. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you say that a way of behaving is proper, you mean that it is considered socially acceptable and right.
4. adjective [noun ADJECTIVE]
You can add proper after a word to indicate that you are referring to the central and most important
part of a place, event, or object and want to distinguish it from other things which are not regarded as being important or
central to it.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
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Word Frequency
proper in British English
adjective
2.
correct in behaviour or conduct
3.
excessively correct in conduct; vigorously moral
4.
up to a required or regular standard
5. (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
6. (postpositive; foll by to)
belonging to or characteristic of a person or thing
8. (usually postpositive)
three martlets proper
noun
13.
the parts of the Mass that vary according to the particular day or feast on which the Mass is celebrated
Compare ordinary (sense 10)Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
properly (ˈproperly) adverb
properness (ˈproperness)
noun
Word origin
C13: via Old French from Latin prōprius special
Word Frequency
proper in American English
adjective
1.
specially adapted or suitable to a specific purpose or specific conditions; appropriate
the proper tool for a job
6.
understood in its most restricted sense; strictly so called
usually following the noun modified the population of Chicago proper (i.e., apart from its suburbs)
10. Grammar
a.
designating a noun that names a specific individual, place, etc., that is not normally used with an article, and that is normally capitalized
“Donald,” “Rover,” and “Boston” are proper nouns, sometimes called proper names
see also commonb.
designating an adjective formed from a proper noun, as Bostonian
adverb Dialectal
12.
completely; thoroughly
13.
properly; correctly
noun [often P-]; Ecclesiastical
14.
the special office or prayers for a particular day or festival
15.
those parts of the Mass which vary according to the particular day or festival
SIMILAR WORDS: fit
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
properly (ˈproperly)
adverb
Word origin
ME propre < OFr < L proprius, one's own
Word Frequency
proper in American English
(ˈprɑpər)
adjective
1.
adapted or appropriate to the purpose or circumstances; fit; suitable
the proper time to plant strawberries
2.
conforming to established standards of behavior or manners; correct or decorous
a very proper young man
3.
fitting; right
It was only proper to bring a gift
5.
belonging or pertaining exclusively or distinctly to a person, thing, or group
7.
in the strict sense of the word (usually used postpositively)
Shellfish do not belong to the fishes proper
Is the school within Boston proper or in the suburbs?
8. Grammar
a. (of a name, noun. or adjective)
b.
having the force or function of a proper name
a proper adjective
9.
normal or regular
10.
belonging to oneself or itself; own
11. chiefly Brit informal
complete or thorough
a proper thrashing
12. Ecclesiast
used only on a particular day or festival
the proper introit
13. Heraldry (of a device)
depicted in its natural colors
an oak tree proper
15. Math (of a subset of a set)
not equal to the whole set
adverb
17. informal
thoroughly; completely
noun
SYNONYMS 1. suited. 2, 3. meet, befitting, becoming, decent, polite. 5. special, individual, peculiar. 6. precise, exact, just, formal.18. Ecclesiast
a special office or special parts of an office appointed for a particular day or time
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
properly adverb
properness
noun
Word origin
[1250–1300; ME propre ‹ OF ‹ L proprius one's own]Examples of 'proper' in a sentence
proper
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proper
heraldryQuick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
Which heraldic term am I?
(of a beast) shown looking backwards over its shoulder
Which heraldic term am I?
(of a shield) divided into four sections, each having contrasting arms or having two sets of arms, each repeated in diagonally opposite corners
Which heraldic term am I?
a diagonal line bisecting a shield from the top right to the bottom left, typically indicating a bastard line
Which heraldic term am I?
a ring-shaped device on a shield; hollow roundel
Which heraldic term am I?
the lowest rank of heraldic officer
Your score:
Trends of
proper
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In other languages
proper
British English: proper
/ˈprɒpə/ ADJECTIVE
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.
- American English: proper /ˈprɒpər/
- Arabic: مُنَاسِب
- Brazilian Portuguese: próprio
- Chinese: 适当的
- Croatian: pravi
- Czech: řádný
- Danish: korrekt
- Dutch: gepast
- European Spanish: apropiado correcto
- Finnish: kunnon
- French: correct
- German: echt
- Greek: κατάλληλος
- Italian: opportuno
- Japanese: 適切な
- Korean: 적합한
- Norwegian: ekte
- Polish: właściwy
- European Portuguese: próprio
- Romanian: adecvat
- Russian: надлежащий
- Latin American Spanish: apropiado
- Swedish: riktig
- Thai: เหมาะสม
- Turkish: doğru dürüst
- Ukrainian: відповідний
- Vietnamese: thực sự
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Definition of proper from the Collins English Dictionary
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Word of the day
hymenopterous
of, relating to, or belonging to the Hymenoptera , an order of insects, including bees , wasps , ants , and sawflies , having two pairs of membranous wings and an ovipositor specialized for stinging , sawing , or piercing
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