impropriety Hear it!

impropriety definition

im·pro·pri·ety (im′prō prī′ə tē)

noun pl. improprieties -·ties

  1. the quality of being improper
  2. improper action or behavior
  3. an improper or unacceptable use of a word or phrase (Ex.: “borrow” for “lend”)

Etymology: < MFr impropriété (or) < L improprietas: see in- & propriety

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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