impropriety Hear it!

impropriety Definition

im·pro·pri·ety (im′prō prīə tē)

noun pl. -·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

impropriety Synonyms

impropriety

n.

unseemliness, incongruity, indecency, blunder; see error 1, indecency 2, rudeness.

impropriety Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • conduct: A premium is sometimes put on impropriety of conduct on the women's part by the foreman.

Converse of object

  • deny: The widening of the investigation has aroused the anger of the schools involved who deny any impropriety.
  • suggest: Channel Four said that the program had not suggested any impropriety on Ms Jenkins ' part concerning her care of the children.
  • see: Any country that bans psyching of either conventional or weak bids will hate this, but I can see no impropriety.
  • avoid: As well as avoiding actual impropriety, you should avoid any appearance of it.
  • notice: I did notice some suspicious financial improprieties I would say.
  • find: He also said the ombudsman's report had found no impropriety but mal-administration from that committee as a whole.

Adjective modifier

  • procedural: Procedural impropriety: ' whether a person or body affected by a decision has been given a fair hearing ' .
  • sexual: Nowadays, any sexual impropriety or any association with scandal usually leads to the resignation of the minister involved.
  • financial: In such a climate, criticism of the system, even on grounds of financial impropriety, is frowned on.
  • serious: When Max is found murdered and a press conference is called to announce serious financial improprieties at the Farran Group, the mystery deepens.
  • possible: The Committee reviewed the arrangements for staff to raise concerns about possible improprieties in the area of financial reporting or other issues.
  • such: Sometimes a mere belfryman will be elected to the chair, but no indication of shock at such impropriety may be given.

Preposition: in

  • conduct: Jennings are to be the proof of impropriety in conduct, we are all offending every moment of our lives.
impropriety Quotes

Impropriety is the soul of wit.

—Maugham,W(illiam) Somerset

There was no impropriety whatsoever in my acquaintanceship with Miss Keeler† I shall not hesitate to issue writs for libel and slander if scandalous allegations are made or repeated outside the House.

—Profumo,John Dennis

When you're lying awake with a dismal headache, and repose is taboo'd by anxiety, I conceive you may use any language you choose to indulge in, without impropriety.

—Gilbert, Sir W(illiam) S(chwenck)