proper

Pronunciation

• (US) enPR: präpʹər, IPA ^(key): /ˈprɑp.ɚ/, SAMPA: /"prAp.@`/
• (AU) IPA ^(key): /ˈprɔp.ə/, SAMPA: /"prOp.@/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈprɒp.ə/, SAMPA: /"prQp.@/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

Positive proper

Comparative more proper

Superlative most proper

1. (usually before a noun) The proper way, place, use, etc. is the right one.

   What is the proper way to write a letter?

2. If something is proper, it is polite or acceptable.

   It's not proper for you to live alone like this.

   She was a very proper young lady.

   Why don't you get a proper job at a good company?

3. (only after the noun) The $x$ proper is the main or important part of $x$, not the parts near it.

   We stayed in a village and only went into the city proper during the day.

Synonyms

• suitable
• appropriate
• acceptable
• polite
• normal
• correct
• right

Antonyms

• improper
• decent
• real

Related words

• properly
• improper
• improperly