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improper Definition

im·proper (im präp′ər)

adjective

  1. not suitable for or consistent with the purpose or circumstances; poorly adapted; unfit
  2. not in accordance with the truth, fact, or rule; wrong; incorrect
  3. contrary to good taste or decency; indecorous
  4. not normal or regular

Etymology: OFr impropre < L improprius: see in- & proper

improper Related Forms
im·prop′·erly adverb im·prop′·er·ness noun
improper Synonyms

improper

modif.

  1. Unsuitable

    unseemly, unbecoming, at odds, ill-advised, unsuited, indecorous, incongruous, out of place, ludicrous, incorrect, preposterous, unwarranted, undue, imprudent, unadapted, abnormal, irregular, inexpedient, unseasonable, inadvisable, untimely, inopportune, unfit, malapropos, unfitting, inappropriate, unapt, unbefitting, untoward, unmeet, ill-timed, awkward, inharmonious, discordant, discrepant, inapplicable, ill-assorted, odd; see also unsuitable.

  2. Immoral

    indecent, indelicate, immodest, lewd, naughty, suggestive, smutty; see also lewd 1.

improper, the word of broadest application in this list, refers to anything that is not proper or suitable, esp. to that which does not conform to conventional standards; unseemly applies to that which is improper or inappropriate to the particular situation her unseemly laughter at the funeral; unbecoming applies to that which is inappropriate to a certain kind of person, his character, etc. his rigid views are most unbecoming in a teacher; indecorous refers to that which violates propriety or good taste in behavior, speech, etc. his indecorous interruption of their chat; indelicate implies a lack of propriety or tact and connotes immodesty or coarseness an indelicate anecdote; indecent is used of that which is regarded as highly offensive to morals or modesty indecent exposure

improper Usage Examples

Infinitive complement

  • have: There would have always been a fire lit in a round house - it would have been considered improper to have it go out.
  • speak: It is a little bit improper to speak about the physics integration into the game engine.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • do: She turns ( O Guardian Angels, stop her From doing anything improper!
  • see: West Fife Planning Committee - Keith Mason can see nothing improper in the apparent anomalies of above planning decisions.

Modifies a noun

  • proselytism: The majority cite with approval a 1956 report of the World Council of Churches dealing with improper proselytism.
  • conduct: Sections 15.3 and 16.3 have been amended to change this ground of appeal to alleged irregular procedure or improper conduct.
  • shutdown: The boot process automatically ran Disk First Aid because I did an improper shutdown.
  • conduct: Neil Warnock has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association.
  • motive: Examples of improper motives include spite, revenge or personal gain.
  • interference: There should be no improper interference by the authorities or by the public.

Modifying Another Word

  • wholly: Outgoing FCC chairman Michael Powell said it would have been " wholly improper " to force " must-carry " rights on all digital channels.
  • highly: It would be highly improper if the advice they give is determined by financial incentives.
  • very: Councilor WOOD, who seconded the motion, said the printing of the cartoon was a very improper thing to do.
  • not: They were just as entitled to confidentiality as everyone else, as long as their dealings were not improper or illegal.
  • quite: It would be quite improper for Assembly to tell any of our churches how to 'be ' and'do ' church.
  • grossly: Mr Brodie said: " We say that they adopted grossly improper means for fraudulently inflating votes cast in their favor.

Used with adjective complement

  • consider: Note it is considered improper to warp the user's cursor in general.
  • seem: Tho the person involved is named, the allegations having been made anonymously, it seemed improper to name him here.
  • regard: I did nothing intentionally wrong, I did nothing anti-social, nothing which I would regard as improper.
  • think: It was thought improper for a teacher to sit at her desk during a lesson.
improper Quotes

Latin. Langage naturel de l'homme. Ga"  te l'e¤  criture. Est seulement utile pour comprendre les inscriptions des fontaines publiques. Il faut se me¤  fier des citations en Latin; elles cachent toujours quelque chose de leste. Latin. Man's natural language. Spoils your style.Useful only for reading the inscriptions on public fountains. Beware of quotations in Latin: theyalways conceal something improper.

—Flaubert, Gustave