proper
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of PROPER
1
[more proper; most proper]
a
:
correct according to social or moral rules
-
That is not the proper [=acceptable] way to dress for school.
-
It is not proper to speak that way.
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The children need to learn proper behavior.
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It would not be proper for you to borrow the ladder without asking first.
b
:
behaving in a way that is correct according to social or moral rules
-
She is a very prim and proper young lady.
2
always used before a noun
:
exactly correct
-
Is this the proper spelling of your name?
-
proper punctuation
3
always used before a noun
:
right or suitable for some purpose or situation
-
He didn't have the proper [=appropriate] training for the job.
-
You need to eat a proper meal instead of junk food.
-
Each step must be done in the proper order/sequence.
-
You need to get a proper [=real, decent] job.
-
Please put your shoes in their proper place. [=please put your shoes where they belong]
4
always used after a noun
— used to emphasize that you are referring to the specific thing that is being named
-
Her family lived outside the city proper. [=lived in an area that was close to the city but was not actually in the city]
5
always used before a noun,
chiefly British
:
complete or absolute
-
I felt a proper fool after making that mistake.
-
We are in a proper mess now.
proper to
formal
:
belonging to or suited to (something)
-
Are such violent emotions proper to poetry?
2
proper
/ˈprɑːpɚ/
adverb
2
proper
/ˈprɑːpɚ/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of PROPER
chiefly British, informal
:
in a complete way
-
We sure have messed things up proper. [=thoroughly, completely]
-
They beat us good and proper.
