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appropriate definition

ap·pro·pri·ate (ə prō′prē āt′; for adj., -it)

transitive verb appropriated -·at′ed, appropriating -·at′·ing

  1. to take for one's own or exclusive use
  2. to take improperly, as without permission
  3. to set aside for a specific use or certain person to appropriate funds for the schools

Etymology: ME appropriaten < LL appropriatus, pp. of appropriare, to make one's own < L ad-, to + proprius, one's own

adjective

right for the purpose; suitable; fit; proper

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business appropriate definition - business

appropriate Synonyms

appropriate

modif.

proper, suitable, suited, fitting; see fit 1, 2, relevant. See syn. study atfit.


appropriate

v.

  1. To seize

    secure, usurp, take possession of; see seize 2.

  2. To provide money

    set aside, set apart, allocate, assign (to a particular use), reserve, apportion, devote, appoint, allow, allow for, disburse, budget, allot, earmark.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

appropriate Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • action: The Council had been advised of our opinion from the outset and failed to take the appropriate action.

Modifying Another Word

  • entirely: The powers will curb freedom of speech where free speech is entirely appropriate.

Infinitive complement

  • apply: However, whether it is appropriate to apply the same reasoning and hence discount rate to health benefits remains unclear.

Used with adjective complement

  • deem: NGB Awards Level 1 and 2 as deemed appropriate.

Preposition: in

  • circumstance: Given the exceptional facts of the case, the court sanctioned an order, which they thought was appropriate in the circumstances.

Preposition: for

  • audience: Consumers expect advertising to be truthful and honest and appropriate for the audience who sees it.
appropriate usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

appropriate quotes

Each individual work serves as an expression of our most personal state of mind at that particular moment and of the inescapable, imperative need for release by means of an appropriate act of creation: in the rhythm, form, colour and mood of a picture.

-Feininger, Lyonel

It is a fatal defect of current principles of administration that, like proverbs, they occur in pairs. For almost every principle one can find an equally plausible and acceptable contradictory principle. Although the two principles of the pair will lead to exactly opposite recommendations, there is nothing in the theory to indicate which is the appropriate one to apply.

-Simon, Herbert A

appropriate quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"appropriate." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/appropriate>

APA Style

appropriate. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/appropriate

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