proper definition

English proper definition

Alternative forms

• propre (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English propre, from Anglo-Norman proper, propre, Old French propre (French: propre), from Latin proprius.

Pronunciation

• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˈpɹɔp.ə/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpɹɒp.ə(ɹ)/
• (US) enPR: präpʹər, IPA^(key): /ˈpɹɑ.pɚ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɒpə(ɹ)
• Hyphenation: prop‧er

Adjective

proper (comparative more proper, superlative most proper)

1. (heading) Suitable.
   1. Suited or acceptable to the purpose or circumstances; fit, suitable. [13th c.]

      the proper time to plant potatoes

      • 1733, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Man. […], (please specify |epistle=I to IV), London: Printed for J[ohn] Wilford, […], OCLC 960856019:

        The proper study of mankind is man.

      • 2014 June 14, “It's a gas”, in The Economist, volume 411, number 8891:

        One of the hidden glories of Victorian engineering is proper drains. Isolating a city’s effluent and shipping it away in underground sewers has probably saved more lives than any medical procedure except vaccination.

   2. Following the established standards of behavior or manners; correct or decorous. [18th c.]

      a very proper young lady

      • 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, OCLC 639762314, page 0108:

        This new-comer was a man who in any company would have seemed striking. […] Indeed, all his features were in large mold, like the man himself, as though he had come from a day when skin garments made the proper garb of men.

   • Suit definition

     A set of clothes to be worn together, now especially a man's matching jacket and trousers (also business suit or lounge suit), or a similar outfit for a woman. (1 of 13 suit definitions)

   • Acceptable definition

     worthy, decent, sure of being accepted or received with at least moderate pleasure (1 of 2 acceptable definitions)

   • Purpose definition

     An objective to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal. (1 of 6 purpose definitions)

   • Circumstances definition

     plural of circumstance

   • Fit definition

     Suitable, proper. (1 of 5 fit definitions)

   • Suitable definition

     Having sufficient or the required properties for a certain purpose or task; appropriate to a certain occasion.

   • Established definition

     simple past tense and past participle of establish

   • Standard definition

     Falling within an accepted range of size, amount, power, quality, etc. (1 of 7 standard definitions)

   • Behavior definition

     Human conduct relative to social norms. (1 of 6 behavior definitions)

   • Manners definition

     plural of manner

   • Correct definition

     Free from error; true; accurate. (1 of 2 correct definitions)

   • Decorous definition

     Marked by proper behavior.
2. (heading) Possessed, related.
   1. (grammar) Used to designate a particular person, place, or thing. Proper nouns are usually written with an initial capital letter. [14th c.]
   2. Pertaining exclusively to a specific thing or person; particular. [14th c.]
      • 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 54573970:

        , II.1.3:

        They have a proper saint almost for every peculiar infirmity: for poison, gouts, agues […].

      • 1829, James Marsh, Preliminary Essay to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Aids to Reflection

        those higher and peculiar attributes […] which constitute our proper humanity

   3. (usually postpositive) In the strict sense; within the strict definition or core (of a specified place, taxonomic order, idea, etc).
      • 1893, Annual of the Universal Medical Sciences:

        These are divided into two great families, the vipers proper (Viperidae) and the pit-vipers (Crotalidae).

      • 1976, Eu-Yang Kwang, The political reconstruction of China, page 165:

        Siberia, though it stands outside the territorial confines of Russia proper, constitutes an essentially component part […] . Outer Mongolia, [so called] to distinguish it from Inner Mongolia, which lies nearer to China proper, revolted and declared its independence.

      • 2004, Stress, the Brain and Depression, page 24:

        Hence, this border is still blurred, raising the question whether traumatic life events induce sadness/distress – which is self-evident – or depression proper and, secondly, whether sadness/distress is a precursor or pacemaker of depression.

      • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:proper.
   4. (archaic) Belonging to oneself or itself; own. [14th c.]
      • c. 1596–1599, William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act V, scene ii]:

        a man so bold
        That dares do justice on my proper son

      • 1717, John Dryden, Meleager and Atalanta

        Now learn the difference, at your proper cost, / Betwixt true valour and an empty boast.

      • 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 54573970:

        , II.4.1.ii:

        every country, and more than that, every private place, hath his proper remedies growing in it, particular almost to the domineering and most frequent maladies of it.

      • 1946, Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, I.20:

        Each animal has its proper pleasure, and the proper pleasure of man is connected with reason.

   5. (heraldry) Portrayed in natural or usual coloration, as opposed to conventional tinctures. [16th c.]
   6. (mathematics) Being strictly part of some other thing (not necessarily explicitly mentioned, but of definitional importance), and not being the thing itself. [20th c.]

      proper subset — proper ideal

   7. (mathematics, physics) Eigen-; designating a function or value which is an eigenfunction or eigenvalue. [20th c.]

   • Grammar definition

     A system of rules and principles for speaking and writing a language. (1 of 9 grammar definitions)

   • Designate definition

     Designated; appointed; chosen. (1 of 2 designate definitions)

   • Particular definition

     Pertaining only to a part of something; partial. (1 of 10 particular definitions)

   • Proper Noun definition

     A noun denoting a particular person, place, organization, ship, animal, event, or other individual entity

   • Initial definition

     Chronologically first, early; of or pertaining to the beginning, cause or origin. (1 of 2 initial definitions)

   • Capital definition

     Already-produced durable goods available for use as a factor of production, such as steam shovels (equipment) and office buildings (structures). (1 of 8 capital definitions)

   • Belong definition

     To have its proper place. (1 of 7 belong definitions)

   • Own definition

     Belonging to; possessed; proper to. Often marks a possessive determiner as reflexive, referring back to the subject of the clause or sentence. (1 of 4 own definitions)

   • Heraldry definition

     The profession or art of devising, granting and blazoning coats of arms, tracing genealogies and ruling on questions of protocol or rank. (1 of 3 heraldry definitions)

   • Coloration definition

     The act or art of coloring. (1 of 4 coloration definitions)

   • Mathematics definition

     An abstract representational system used in the study of numbers, shapes, structure, change and the relationships between these concepts. (1 of 2 mathematics definitions)

   • Part definition

     A portion; a component.

     1. A fraction of a whole. (1 of 18 part definitions)

   • Proper Subset definition

     a set that is a subset of the set, but not equal to it.

   • Physics definition

     The branch of science concerned with the study of the properties and interactions of space, time, matter and energy. (1 of 2 physics definitions)

   • Eigen- definition

     Forms terms pertaining to or related to eigenvectors, eigenvalues; especially for naming mathematical objects which are not affected by a given transformation except for by scalar multiplication.

   • Eigenfunction definition

     A function ${\displaystyle \phi }$ such that, for a given linear operator ${\displaystyle D}$ , ${\displaystyle D\phi =\lambda \phi }$ for some scalar ${\displaystyle \lambda }$ (called an eigenvalue).

   • Eigenvalue definition

     A scalar, ${\displaystyle \lambda }$ , such that there exists a non-zero vector ${\displaystyle x}$ (a corresponding eigenvector) for which the image of ${\displaystyle x}$ under a given linear operator ${\displaystyle \mathrm {A} }$ is equal to the image of ${\displaystyle x}$ under multiplication by ${\displaystyle \lambda }$ ; i.e. ${\displaystyle \mathrm {A} x=\lambda x}$ .
3. (heading) Accurate, strictly applied.
   1. Excellent, of high quality; such as the specific person or thing should ideally be. (Now often merged with later senses.) [14th c.]

      Now that was a proper breakfast.

   2. (now regional) Attractive, elegant. [14th c.]
      • 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Acts 7:

        The same tyme was Moses borne, and was a propper [transl. ἀστεῖος (asteîos)] childe in the sight of God, which was norisshed up in his fathers housse thre monethes.

   3. (often postpositive) In the very strictest sense of the word. [14th c.]
      • 1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 16]”, in Ulysses, London: The Egoist Press, published October 1922, OCLC 2297483:

        Though unusual in the Dublin area he knew that it was not by any means unknown for desperadoes who had next to nothing to live on to be abroad waylaying and generally terrorising peaceable pedestrians by placing a pistol at their head in some secluded spot outside the city proper […].

   4. (now colloquial) Utter, complete. [15th c.]

      When I realized I was wearing my shirt inside out, I felt a proper fool.

   • Attractive definition

     Causing attraction; having the quality of attracting by inherent force. (1 of 3 attractive definitions)

   • Elegant definition

     Characterised by or exhibiting elegance. (1 of 3 elegant definitions)

   • Ἀστεῖος definition

     of the city, cosmopolitan (1 of 3 ἀστεῖος definitions)

   • Strict definition

     Strained; drawn close; tight. (1 of 8 strict definitions)

   • Sense definition

     Any of the manners by which living beings perceive the physical world: for humans sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste. (1 of 10 sense definitions)

   • Utter definition

     Outer; furthest out, most remote. (1 of 3 utter definitions)

   • Complete definition

     To finish; to make done; to reach the end. (1 of 3 complete definitions)

Synonyms

• (fit, suitable): correct, right, apt, prudent, upright, sensible, fitting
• (correct, decorous): appropriate, decent, good, polite, right, well-mannered, upright
• (fitting, right): appropriate, just, honorable
• (complete, thorough): comprehensive, royal, sweeping, intensive
• (strictly, properly-speaking): strictly speaking, properly speaking, par excellence
• (true): full, complete
• (informal: utter): complete, right (informal), total, utter

Antonyms

• (fit, suitable): incorrect, wrong, bad, imprudent, insensible, improper
• (correct, decorous): inappropriate, indecent, bad, impolite, wrong, ill-mannered, unseemly
• (fitting, right): inappropriate, unjust, dishonorable
• (complete, thorough): partial, incomplete, superficial, slapdash
• (true): incomplete

Related terms

• appropriate
• propriety
• properly

Translations

See also

• proper adjective
• proper fraction
• proper noun

Adverb

proper (not comparable)

1. (Britain, Australia, colloquial) properly; thoroughly; completely.
   • 1929, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, When the World Screamed‎^[1]:

     'I thought it was the American Associated Press.' 'Oh, they are on the track, are they?' 'They to-day, and the Times yesterday. Oh, they are buzzing round proper.'

   • 1956, Anthony Burgess, Time for a Tiger (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 202:

     “Christmas Eve,” said Nabby Adams. “I used to pump the bloody organ for the carols, proper pissed usually.”

   • 1957, Ray Lawler, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, Sydney: Fontana Books, published 1974, page 32:

     The kid towelled him up proper.

   • 1964, Saint Andrew Society (Glasgow, Scotland), The Scots magazine: Volume 82

     Don't you think you must have looked proper daft?

2. (nonstandard, colloquial) properly.
   • 2012, Soufside, Hello (song)

     When I meet a bad chick, know I gotta tell her hello

     talk real proper, but she straight up out the ghetto

   • Properly definition

     in a proper manner, appropriately, suitably; correctly, justifiably (1 of 3 properly definitions)

Noun

proper (plural propers)

1. (obsolete) Something set apart for a special use.

Anagrams

• per pro, propre

Catalan proper definition

Etymology

prop +‎ -er.

Pronunciation

• (Balearic) IPA^(key): /pɾoˈpe/
• (Central) IPA^(key): /pɾuˈpe/
• (Valencian) IPA^(key): /pɾoˈpeɾ/

Adjective

proper (feminine propera, masculine plural propers, feminine plural properes)

1. near, close

   Synonym: pròxim

   • Near definition

     Physically close. (1 of 11 near definitions)

   • Close definition

     To remove a gap.

     1. To obstruct (an opening).
     2. To move so that an opening is closed. (1 of 13 close definitions)

   • Pròxim definition

     next (1 of 2 pròxim definitions)
2. neighbouring

   • Neighbouring definition

     Alternative spelling of neighboring
3. next

   Synonym: següent

   • Next definition

     Nearest in place or position, having nothing similar intervening; adjoining. (1 of 5 next definitions)

   • Següent definition

     following, next (in order)

Synonyms

• (the coming day, week, year etc.): que ve, venint

Related terms

• prop

Further reading

• “proper” in Diccionari català-valencià-balear, Antoni Maria Alcover and Francesc de Borja Moll, 1962.

Danish proper definition

Etymology

Borrowed from French propre (“clean, house-trained, own”), from Latin proprius (“own”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /proːbər/, [ˈpʰʁ̥oːˀb̥ɐ]

Adjective

proper

1. cleanly

   • Cleanly definition

     Being habitually clean, practising good hygiene. (1 of 4 cleanly definitions)
2. tidy

   • Tidy definition

     Arranged neatly and in order. (1 of 7 tidy definitions)

Inflection

Derived terms

• properhed ("cleanliness", "tidiness")

References

• “proper” in Den Danske Ordbog

Dutch proper definition

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈproː.pər/

• Audio

  (file)

• Hyphenation: pro‧per

Etymology

From Middle Dutch proper, from Old French propre, from Latin proprius.

Adjective

proper (comparative properder, superlative properst)

1. (chiefly Belgium) clean

   • Clean definition

     Free of dirt or impurities or protruberances.

     1. Not dirty. (1 of 21 clean definitions)

Inflection

Synonyms

• netjes, rein, zindelijk.
• (Netherlands) schoon.

German proper definition

Etymology

Ultimately from Old French propre, from Latin proprius. Probably borrowed in north-western dialects via Middle Dutch proper [13th c., sense: 15th c.], later generalized under the influence of modern French propre. The colloquial euphemism for “chubby” may, in part, be due to association with Proppen (whence also proppenvoll and Wonneproppen).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpʁɔpɐ/

• Audio

  (file)

Adjective

proper (comparative properer, superlative am propersten)

1. (somewhat informal, dated) in good condition: clean; neat; well-kept; developed

   Bis vor Kurzem herrschte hier bittere Armut, aber jetzt ist es ein ganz properes Städtchen geworden.

   Until recently bitter poverty prevailed around here, but now it’s become rather a neat little town.

   • Neat definition

     Clean, tidy; free from dirt or impurities. (1 of 8 neat definitions)

   • Well-Kept definition

     neat, tidy, kept in good condition. (1 of 2 well-kept definitions)

   • Developed definition

     Not primitive; not third-world. (1 of 5 developed definitions)
2. (colloquial, euphemistic) overweight; chubby

   Die Linda war doch immer so’ne Schlanke, aber jetzt sieht sie ziemlich proper aus.

   Linda was always a slender one, but now she looks pretty chubby.

   • Overweight definition

     Having a higher weight, especially body fat, than what is generally considered healthy for a given body type and height. (1 of 3 overweight definitions)

   • Chubby definition

     Of a person: slightly overweight, somewhat fat, and hence plump, rounded, and soft. (1 of 2 chubby definitions)

Declension

Further reading

• “proper” in Duden online

Old French proper definition

Adjective

proper m (oblique and nominative feminine singular proper)

1. (rare) Alternative form of propre

   Or a mai entendez Ki proper volunté amez, Set Pechez 70

   • Propre definition

     Obsolete form of proper.