American Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition proper in American English

proper adjective

adjective
/ˈprɑpər/
Example

You have to have the proper tools for the job.

Example

That's not the proper way to do it!

Example

Councilors went against their own officers and ignored proper procedures.

Synonyms and related words
Example

I don't think it would be proper for me to say any more.

Example

I'm sure you will all agree that this is the only proper course of action.

Example

It's only right and proper that his family should be present.

Synonyms and related words
3

considered to be real or serious

Example

When are you going to get a proper job?

Example

He needs proper medical care.

Synonyms and related words
4

behaving in a manner that most people would consider correct and polite

Example

Young people then were all terribly proper.

Synonyms and related words
4.1

behaving in a way that is so polite that other people feel annoyed or uncomfortable

Example

He's always so prim and proper.

Synonyms and related words
5

understood in its most exact meaning

Example

Does he live in Chicago proper or in the suburbs?

Synonyms and related words
6

complete in every detail

Example

He's only six, but he's already a proper little gentleman.

Synonyms and related words
7

belonging to a particular type of thing

Example

a style of architecture proper to the period

Synonyms and related words
Definition proper in American English