Proper Definition
prŏpər
adjective
properer, properest
Characterized by appropriateness or suitability; fitting.
The proper knife for cutting bread; not a proper moment for a joke.
American Heritage
Specially adapted or suitable to a specific purpose or specific conditions; appropriate.
The proper tool for a job.
Webster's New World
Called for by rules or conventions; correct.
The proper form for a business letter.
American Heritage
Strictly following rules or conventions, especially in social behavior; seemly.
A proper lady; a proper gentleman.
American Heritage
Conforming to an accepted standard or to good usage; correct.
A proper spelling.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
adverb
Completely; thoroughly.
Webster's New World
Properly; correctly.
Webster's New World
(Scotland) Properly; thoroughly; completely.
Wiktionary
(nonstandard, slang) Properly.
Wiktionary
noun
The special office or prayers for a particular day or festival.
Webster's New World
Those parts of the Mass which vary according to the particular day or festival.
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Proper
Noun
Singular:
proper
Plural:
propersAdjective
Base Form:
proper
Comparative:
properer
Superlative:
properestOrigin of Proper
-
From Anglo-Norman proper, propre, Old French propre (French: propre), and their source, Latin proprius.
From Wiktionary
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Middle English propre from Old French from Latin proprius per1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Proper Is Also Mentioned In
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