proper Hear it!

proper definition

proper (präp′ər)

adjective

  1. specially adapted or suitable to a specific purpose or specific conditions; appropriate the proper tool for a job
  2. naturally belonging or peculiar (to) weather proper to April
  3. conforming to an accepted standard or to good usage; correct a proper spelling
  4. fitting; seemly; right proper modesty
  5. decent; decorous; genteel: often connoting exaggerated respectability “the proper Bostonians”
  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)
  7. Brit. complete; thorough a proper scoundrel
  8. Now Chiefly Dial.
    1. fine; good; excellent
    2. handsome
  9. Eccles. reserved for a particular day or festival: said of prayers, rites, etc.
  10. Gram.
    1. 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
    2. designating an adjective formed from a proper noun, as Bostonian
  11. Heraldry represented in its natural form or colors

Etymology: ME propre < OFr < L proprius, one's own

adverb

  1. completely; thoroughly
  2. properly; correctly

noun

  1. the special office or prayers for a particular day or festival
  2. those parts of the Mass which vary according to the particular day or festival

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:

law proper definition - legal

proper Synonyms

proper

modif.

  1. Suitable

    fit, just, decent, fitting; see fit 1, 2.

  2. Conventional

    customary, usual, decorous; see conventional 1, 2.

  3. Prudish

    prim, precise, strait-laced; see prudish.

  4. Personal

    private, own, peculiar; see individual 1. See syn. study at fit.


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.

proper Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • perfectly: No, I see no finery about you; nothing but what is perfectly proper.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • enter: And then checked again when you actually enter the stadium proper.

Modifies a noun

  • functioning: The more variability in the number of defects, the more concerns about the proper functioning of the production line.

Used with adjective complement

  • think: Such, however, as were most distinguished by their station or office, it was thought proper to secure in the tollbooth prison.
proper 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.

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

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/proper>

APA Style

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

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/proper

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