prop·er (pr p  r)adj. 1. Characterized by appropriateness or suitability; fitting: the proper knife for cutting bread; not a proper moment for a joke. 2. Called for by rules or conventions; correct: the proper form for a business letter. 3. Strictly following rules or conventions, especially in social behavior; seemly: a proper lady; a proper gentleman. 4. a. Belonging to one; own: restored to his proper shape by the magician. b. Characteristically belonging to the being or thing in question; peculiar: an optical effect proper to fluids. 5. Being within the strictly limited sense, as of a term designating something: the town proper, excluding the suburbs. 6. Ecclesiastical For use in the liturgy of a particular feast or season of the year. 7. Mathematics Of or relating to a subset of a given set when the set has at least one element not in the subset. 8. Worthy of the name; true: wanted a proper dinner, not just a snack. 9. Out-and-out; thorough: a proper whipping. adv. Thoroughly: beat the eggs good and proper. n. Ecclesiastical also Proper The parts of the liturgy that vary according to the particular feast or season of the year. [Middle English propre, from Old French, from Latin proprius; see per1 in Indo-European roots.] prop er·ly adv.prop er·ness n. |
proper [ˈprɒpə]
adj
1. (usually prenominal) appropriate or suited for some purpose in its proper place
2. correct in behaviour or conduct
3. excessively correct in conduct; vigorously moral
4. up to a required or regular standard
5. (immediately postpositive) (of an object, quality, etc.) referred to or named specifically so as to exclude anything not directly connected with it his claim is connected with the deed proper
6. (postpositive; foll by to) belonging to or characteristic of a person or thing
7. (prenominal) Brit informal (intensifier) I felt a proper fool
8. (History / Heraldry) (usually postpositive) (of heraldic colours) considered correct for the natural colour of the object or emblem depicted three martlets proper
9. (Mathematics) Maths logic (of a relation) distinguished from a weaker relation by excluding the case where the relata are identical. For example, every set is a subset of itself, but a proper subset must exclude at least one member of the containing set See also strict [6]
10. Archaic pleasant or good
adv
1. Brit dialect (intensifier) he's proper stupid
good and proper Informal thoroughly to get drunk good and proper
n
(Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) the parts of the Mass that vary according to the particular day or feast on which the Mass is celebrated Compare ordinary [10]
[via Old French from Latin prōprius special]
properly adv
properness n
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. | proper - marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness; "proper medical treatment"; "proper manners" appropriate - suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc; "a book not appropriate for children"; "a funeral conducted the appropriate solemnity"; "it seems that an apology is appropriate" correct, right - free from error; especially conforming to fact or truth; "the correct answer"; "the correct version"; "the right answer"; "took the right road"; "the right decision" decent - conforming to conventions of sexual behavior; "speech in this circle, if not always decent, never became lewd"- George Santayana decorous - characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct; "the tete-a-tete was decorous in the extreme" right - in conformance with justice or law or morality; "do the right thing and confess" improper - not suitable or right or appropriate; "slightly improper to dine alone with a married man"; "improper medication"; "improper attire for the golf course" |
| 2. | proper - having all the qualities typical of the thing specified; "wanted a proper dinner; not just a snack"; "he finally has a proper job" real - no less than what is stated; worthy of the name; "the real reason"; "real war"; "a real friend"; "a real woman"; "meat and potatoes--I call that a real meal"; "it's time he had a real job"; "it's no penny-ante job--he's making real money" | |
| 3. | proper - limited to the thing specified; "the city proper"; "his claim is connected with the deed proper" specific - (sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique; "rules with specific application"; "demands specific to the job"; "a specific and detailed account of the accident" | |
| 4. | proper - appropriate for a condition or purpose or occasion or a person's character, needs; "everything in its proper place"; "the right man for the job"; "she is not suitable for the position" appropriate - suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc; "a book not appropriate for children"; "a funeral conducted the appropriate solemnity"; "it seems that an apology is appropriate" |
proper
adjective
1. real, actual, genuine, true, bona fide, kosher (informal), dinkum (Austral & N.Z. informal) Two out of five people do not have a proper job.
2. correct, accepted, established, appropriate, right, formal, conventional, accurate, exact, precise, legitimate, orthodox, apt Please ensure that the proper procedures are followed.
correct inappropriate, improper, wrong, unsuitable, unconventional, unorthodox
correct inappropriate, improper, wrong, unsuitable, unconventional, unorthodox
3. polite, right, becoming, seemly, fitting, fit, mannerly, suitable, decent, gentlemanly, refined, respectable, befitting, genteel, de rigueur (French), ladylike, meet (archaic), decorous, punctilious, comme il faut (French) In those days it was not thought proper for a woman to be on the stage.
polite common, crude, rude, coarse, indecent, unseemly, unbecoming, unrefined, impolite, ungentlemanly, discourteous, unladylike
polite common, crude, rude, coarse, indecent, unseemly, unbecoming, unrefined, impolite, ungentlemanly, discourteous, unladylike
4. characteristic, own, special, individual, personal, particular, specific, peculiar, respective Make sure everything is in its proper place.
Translations
proper [ˈprɒpəʳ]
A. ADJ
1. (= right, suitable) [equipment, tools] → apropiado, adecuado
that's not really the proper tool for the job → ésa no es la herramienta apropiada or adecuada para el trabajo
at the proper time → en el momento oportuno
that's not the proper way to do it → así no se hace
you'll have to apply for a permit in the proper way → tendrás que solicitar el permiso por las vías establecidas
that's not really the proper tool for the job → ésa no es la herramienta apropiada or adecuada para el trabajo
at the proper time → en el momento oportuno
that's not the proper way to do it → así no se hace
you'll have to apply for a permit in the proper way → tendrás que solicitar el permiso por las vías establecidas
2. (= correct)
it was the proper thing to say → fue lo que había que decir
do as you think proper → haz lo que te parezca bien
I thought it proper to inform you → pensé que debía informarte
see also right A1
it was the proper thing to say → fue lo que había que decir
do as you think proper → haz lo que te parezca bien
I thought it proper to inform you → pensé que debía informarte
see also right A1
3. (= actual, real) → propiamente dicho
in the city proper → en la ciudad propiamente dicha, en la ciudad en sí
he's never had a proper job → nunca ha tenido un trabajo serio
forget nouvelle cuisine, give me proper food, any day → olvida la nueva cocina, dame todos los días comida como Dios manda
in the proper sense of the word → en el sentido estricto de la palabra
in the city proper → en la ciudad propiamente dicha, en la ciudad en sí
he's never had a proper job → nunca ha tenido un trabajo serio
forget nouvelle cuisine, give me proper food, any day → olvida la nueva cocina, dame todos los días comida como Dios manda
in the proper sense of the word → en el sentido estricto de la palabra
4. (= complete, downright) → verdadero
I felt a proper idiot → me sentí como un perfecto or verdadero idiota
we got a proper beating → nos dieron una paliza de las buenas
I felt a proper idiot → me sentí como un perfecto or verdadero idiota
we got a proper beating → nos dieron una paliza de las buenas
5. (= seemly) [person, behaviour] → correcto
it wasn't considered proper for a man to show his emotions → no se consideraba correcto or no estaba bien visto que un hombre mostrase sus emociones
it wasn't considered proper for a man to show his emotions → no se consideraba correcto or no estaba bien visto que un hombre mostrase sus emociones
6. (= prim and proper) → correcto y formal
7. (= peculiar, characteristic) → propio (to de)
B. ADV (Brit) he was proper upset about it → estaba verdaderamente or realmente disgustado por ello
she's a proper stuck-up young lady → es una joven bien creída
see also good A19
she's a proper stuck-up young lady → es una joven bien creída
see also good A19
proper [ˈprɒpər] adj
(= correct) [equipment, place] → approprié(e); [procedure, way, manner] → correct(e); [word, term] → correct(e)
You have to have the proper equipment → Il faut avoir l'équipement approprié.
at the proper time (= appropriate time) → en temps et en heure
We will discuss all that at the proper time → Nous discuterons de tout ça en temps et en heure. (= set time) → à l'heure dite
If you had come at the proper time → Si tu étais venu à l'heure dite ...
to go through the proper channels → passer par les canaux habituels
You have to have the proper equipment → Il faut avoir l'équipement approprié.
at the proper time (= appropriate time) → en temps et en heure
We will discuss all that at the proper time → Nous discuterons de tout ça en temps et en heure. (= set time) → à l'heure dite
If you had come at the proper time → Si tu étais venu à l'heure dite ...
to go through the proper channels → passer par les canaux habituels
(= adequate) [management, training, planning, care] → adéquat(e)
We need proper training → Il nous faut une formation adéquate.
We need proper training → Il nous faut une formation adéquate.
(= real) → vrai(e) before n
proper French bread → du vrai pain français
We didn't have a proper lunch, just sandwiches → Nous n'avons pas pris de vrai repas, juste des sandwichs.
It's difficult to get a proper job → Il est difficile de trouver un vrai travail.
I felt a proper fool
BUT Je me suis senti vraiment bête.
proper French bread → du vrai pain français
We didn't have a proper lunch, just sandwiches → Nous n'avons pas pris de vrai repas, juste des sandwichs.
It's difficult to get a proper job → Il est difficile de trouver un vrai travail.
I felt a proper fool
BUT Je me suis senti vraiment bête.
(= fitting) → convenable
it wasn't proper for sb to ... → ce n'était pas convenable pour qn de ...
It wasn't proper for a man to show his emotions → Ce n'était pas convenable pour un homme de montrer ses émotions.
to show proper respect to sb → montrer à qn le respect qui lui est dû
to behave in a proper manner → se comporter de manière correcte
it is right and proper that ... → il n'est que juste que + subj ...
It is right and proper that questions should be asked → Il n'est que juste que des questions soient posées.
it wasn't proper for sb to ... → ce n'était pas convenable pour qn de ...
It wasn't proper for a man to show his emotions → Ce n'était pas convenable pour un homme de montrer ses émotions.
to show proper respect to sb → montrer à qn le respect qui lui est dû
to behave in a proper manner → se comporter de manière correcte
it is right and proper that ... → il n'est que juste que + subj ...
It is right and proper that questions should be asked → Il n'est que juste que des questions soient posées.
prim and proper [person, image] → très comme il faut
proper
adj
(= actual) → eigentlich; physics proper → die eigentliche Physik; in the proper sense of the word → in der eigentlichen Bedeutung des Wortes; is that a proper policeman’s helmet? → ist das ein richtiger Polizeihelm?; he’s never had a proper job → er hat noch nie einen richtigen Job gehabt; he’s not a proper electrician → er ist kein richtiger Elektriker; not in Berlin proper → nicht in Berlin selbst
(inf) (= real) fool etc → richtig; (= thorough) beating → gehörig, anständig (inf), → tüchtig (inf); we got a proper beating (team etc) → wir sind ganz schön geschlagen worden (inf)
(= fitting, suitable) → richtig; in proper condition → in ordnungsgemäßem Zustand; in the proper way → richtig; as you think proper → wie Sie es für richtig halten; it’s only right and proper → es ist nur recht und billig; to do the proper thing → das tun, was sich gehört; the proper thing to do would be to apologize → es gehört sich eigentlich, dass man sich entschuldigt; don’t touch the injured man unless you know the proper thing to do → lassen Sie den Verletzten liegen, solange Sie nicht genau wissen, was man machen muss; it wasn’t really the proper thing to say → es war ziemlich unpassend, das zu sagen; we considered or thought it only proper to … → wir dachten, es gehört sich einfach zu …
(= seemly) → anständig; what is proper → was sich gehört; it is not proper for you to … → es gehört sich nicht, dass Sie …
(= prim and proper) → korrekt
(= peculiar, characteristic) proper to → angestammt (+dat), → angehörig (+dat); a species proper to the Galapagos → eine Gattung, die den Galapagosinseln angestammt ist; proper to the species → der Art eigen, arteigen
proper [ˈprɒpəʳ]
proper [ˈprɒpəʳ]
1. adj
a. (suitable, appropriate, clothes, tools) → adatto/a, appropriato/a; (correct, right, order, way, method) → giusto/a; (seemly, behaviour, person) → decente, perbene
the proper time → il momento adatto or giusto
in the proper way → come si deve
to go through the proper channels (Admin) → seguire la regolare procedura
do as you think proper → fa'come ritieni opportuno
it isn't proper to do that → non sta bene fare così
to do the proper thing by sb → agire bene verso qn
proper to (Chem, Philosophy) → proprio di
the proper time → il momento adatto or giusto
in the proper way → come si deve
to go through the proper channels (Admin) → seguire la regolare procedura
do as you think proper → fa'come ritieni opportuno
it isn't proper to do that → non sta bene fare così
to do the proper thing by sb → agire bene verso qn
proper to (Chem, Philosophy) → proprio di
b. (actual, authentic) → vero/a e proprio/a
physics proper → la fisica propriamente detta
he isn't a proper doctor → non è un medico come si deve
in the proper sense of the word → nel vero senso della parola
in the city proper → nella città vera e propria
physics proper → la fisica propriamente detta
he isn't a proper doctor → non è un medico come si deve
in the proper sense of the word → nel vero senso della parola
in the city proper → nella città vera e propria
c. (fam) (real, lady, gentleman) → vero/a, autentico/a; (thorough, mess) → vero/a, bello/a
it's a proper nuisance → è proprio una bella scocciatura
it's a proper nuisance → è proprio una bella scocciatura
proper [ˈprɒpəʳ]
1. adj
a. (suitable, appropriate, clothes, tools) → adatto/a, appropriato/a; (correct, right, order, way, method) → giusto/a; (seemly, behaviour, person) → decente, perbene
the proper time → il momento adatto or giusto
in the proper way → come si deve
to go through the proper channels (Admin) → seguire la regolare procedura
do as you think proper → fa'come ritieni opportuno
it isn't proper to do that → non sta bene fare così
to do the proper thing by sb → agire bene verso qn
proper to (Chem, Philosophy) → proprio di
the proper time → il momento adatto or giusto
in the proper way → come si deve
to go through the proper channels (Admin) → seguire la regolare procedura
do as you think proper → fa'come ritieni opportuno
it isn't proper to do that → non sta bene fare così
to do the proper thing by sb → agire bene verso qn
proper to (Chem, Philosophy) → proprio di
b. (actual, authentic) → vero/a e proprio/a
physics proper → la fisica propriamente detta
he isn't a proper doctor → non è un medico come si deve
in the proper sense of the word → nel vero senso della parola
in the city proper → nella città vera e propria
physics proper → la fisica propriamente detta
he isn't a proper doctor → non è un medico come si deve
in the proper sense of the word → nel vero senso della parola
in the city proper → nella città vera e propria
c. (fam) (real, lady, gentleman) → vero/a, autentico/a; (thorough, mess) → vero/a, bello/a
it's a proper nuisance → è proprio una bella scocciatura
it's a proper nuisance → è proprio una bella scocciatura
adj proper [ˈpropə]
1 right, correct, or suitable That isn't the proper way to clean the windows; You should have done your schoolwork at the proper time – it's too late to start now. behoorlik, regte مُلائِم، صَحيح характерен správný, vhodný rigtig richtig σωστός, κατάλληλος correcto, adecuado sobiv, sünnis مناسب oikea correct נָכוֹן, מַתאִים उचित, ठीक, सही helyes, megfelelő semestinya réttur, viðeigandi corretto, giusto きちんとした 적절한 tinkamas, tikras īsts; pareizs; piemērots betul juist rett, riktig właściwy correcto potrivit правильный, надлежащий správny, vhodný pravi odgovarajući rätt, riktig ถูกต้อง uygun 適當的 правильний درست، مناسب đúng; thích hợp 适当的
2 complete or thorough Have you made a proper search? behoorlik, volledig كامِل، شامِل правилен patřičný, řádný, úplný grundig genau πλήρης, ολοκληρωμένος completo põhjalik کامل asianmukainen convenable אָמִיתִי पूर्ण szabályszerű menyeluruh algjör, almennilegur adeguato, esauriente 徹底した 철저한 nuodugnus, išsamus pamatīgs betul-betul grondig ordentlig, skikkelig dokładny completo complet полный, совершенный patričný natančen temeljan ordentlig สมบูรณ์ tam 徹底的，全面的 належний, відповідний مکمل trọn vẹn 彻底的，全面的
3 respectable or well-mannered Such behaviour isn't quite proper. aanvaarbaar مُطابِق لِلأخْلاق، مُحْتَرَم благоприличен korektní anstændig einwandfrei πρέπων, αξιοσέβαστος apropiado, correcto viisakas, sünnis شایسته kunnollinen comme il faut נָאוֹת विशिष्ट सुन्दर illő sopan viðeigandi, siðlátur decente, decoroso 適当な 접합한 prideramas labs; piedienīgs tertib gepast anstendig, korrekt stosowny decente decent приличный; порядочный korektný spodoben prikladan anständig, passande เหมาะสม edepli, saygılı 正經的，合乎體統的 пристойний; належний اچھا، قابل احترام đúng cách 正经的，合乎体统的
adv properly
1 correctly or rightly She can't pronounce his name properly. behoorlik بِصورَةٍ صَحيحَه правилно správně korrekt; rigtigt richtig σωστά correctamente õigesti به درستی oikein convenablement כַּיָאוּת उचित ढंग से helyesen secara benar rétt, á réttan hátt correttamente きちんと 정확하게 tinkamai īsti; pareizi dgn betul op de juiste/gepaste manier rett, riktig, korrekt poprawnie correctamente corect правильно správne pravilno pravilno riktigt อย่างเหมาะสม doğru olarak 適當地 правильно درست طور پر đúng 适当地
2 completely or thoroughly I didn't have time to read the book properly. behoorlik, deeglik بصورةٍ كامِلَه изцяло pečlivě, podrobně ordentligt gründlich πλήρως, ολοκληρωμένα bien; completamente korralikult بطور کامل kunnolla complètement כהוגן पूर्णरूप से alaposan seluruhnya almennilega completamente 徹底して 제대로 išsamiai pamatīgi; kā nākas dgn teliti grondig ordentlig, skikkelig należycie totalmente complet основательно podrobne temeljito do kraja ordentligt อย่างสมบูรณ์ tam olarak, iyice 徹底地 належним чином; як слід پورے طور پر trọn vẹn 彻底地
proper noun/name
a noun or name which names a particular person, thing or place (beginning with a capital letter) John' and `New York' are proper nouns. eienaam إسْم عَلَم собствено име vlastní jméno egennavn der Eigenname κύριο όνομα nombre propio pärisnimi اسم خاص nom propre שֵׁם-עֶצֶם פְּרָטִי व्यक्ति वाचक संज्ञा, व्यक्ति वाचक नाम tulajdonnév nama diri sérnafn nome proprio 固有名詞 고유 명사 tikrinis daiktavardis/vardas īpašvārds kata nama khas eigennaam egennavn imię własne nome próprio nume propriu имя собственное vlastné meno lastno ime vlastito ime egennamn คำนามชื่อเฉพาะ özel isim 專有名詞，專用名稱 власне ім'я اسم علم danh từ riêng 专有名词，专用名称
proper → مناسب pravý korrekt echt κατάλληλος apropiado kunnon correct pravi opportuno 適切な 적합한 gepast ekte właściwy próprio надлежащий riktig ที่แท้จริง doğru dürüst thực sự 适当的
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