proper
/proper/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Correct, suitable, or appropriate: Conforming to established standards of behavior, manners, or what is considered right for a specific situation or purpose.
- Real, genuine, or complete: Used to emphasize that something is the true or complete example of its kind, often when placed after a noun.
- Belonging specifically or exclusively to: Referring to something that is particular or intrinsic to a person, place, or thing.
Usage Examples
- Adjective (Correct/Suitable):
- Please put the tools back in their proper place.
- It is not proper to speak with your mouth full.
- We need to find the proper tool for this job.
- Adjective (Real/Complete - often postpositive):
- The city proper has a population of one million, excluding the suburbs.
- After years of temporary work, he finally has a proper job.
- Adjective (Belonging specifically to):
- The museum has a section proper to ancient Roman artifacts.
Advanced Usage
- "Proper noun": A grammatical term for the name of a specific person, place, or organization (e.g., , ), which is always capitalized.
- "England" is a proper noun.
- "Proper fraction": A mathematical term for a fraction where the numerator is less than the denominator (e.g., ¾).
- Three-quarters is a proper fraction.
- In formal or dated contexts: Can mean good-looking or handsome.
- (Archaic) He was described as a proper gentleman.
Variants and Related Words
- Properly (adverb): In a correct or suitable manner.
- The machine was not installed properly.
- Improper (adjective): The opposite of proper; not correct or suitable.
- His improper conduct led to a reprimand.
Synonyms
- Appropriate: Suitable or proper in the circumstances.
- Correct: Free from error; in accordance with fact or truth.
- Suitable: Right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.
- Decorous: In keeping with good taste and propriety; polite and restrained.
Related Phrases
- In the proper sense of the word: Used to emphasize the true or most accurate meaning.
- He is a scholar in the proper sense of the word.
- Good and proper (informal): Completely or thoroughly.
- They were scolded good and proper for their mischief.
Related Idioms
- To do something proper: To do something correctly or thoroughly.
- We celebrated her birthday and did it proper with a big cake and party.
- Proper job (chiefly British, informal): Something done well or satisfactorily.
- That repair is a proper job; it should last for years.
Adjective
- 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
- limited to the thing specified
- the city proper
- his claim is connected with the deed proper
- having all the qualities typical of the thing specified; not just a snack"
- wanted a proper dinner
- he finally has a proper job
- marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
- proper medical treatment
- proper manners