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proper
Examples
Wearing formal attire is proper for a business meeting.
It 's proper to use polite language when speaking to elders.
02
conforming to the expected standards
Examples
He finally landed a proper job after years of freelancing.
She 's never had a proper meal since she moved out of her parent's house.
03
conforming to accepted norms or standards in a particular situation
Examples
The proper way to greet someone in this culture is with a handshake.
The proper response to the question is ' yes.'
Examples
After missing the train, I felt like a proper idiot.
It was a proper nightmare trying to get everything done on time.
05
relating specifically and uniquely to something
Examples
The plants proper to the desert can survive with minimal water.
The diseases proper to the tropics require specific treatment methods.
06
uniquely associated or owned by
Examples
The decision was made using his proper judgment.
The keys to the office are his proper possession.
07
used in reference to someone or something that stands out in beauty or grace
Examples
He was a proper gentleman, well-dressed and poised.
She was known as a proper lady, graceful and refined in all her manners.
proper
01
in a thorough and complete manner
Examples
She was proper impressed with the new project idea.
He did the job proper, fixing everything exactly as it should be.
02
in a correct or appropriate way
Examples
You've got to clean the kitchen proper if you want it to look spotless.
She did n't just apologize, she apologized proper, in front of everyone.
Proper
01
a section of a church service that changes based on the religious calendar or occasion
Examples
The choir rehearsed the proper for Easter Sunday.
Today's proper reflects the themes of Advent.
Lexical Tree
improper
properly
properness
proper
