Impropriety — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌim-p(r)ə-ˈprī-ə-tē/ im·pro·pri·e·ty

Meaning & Definition of Impropriety

Impropriety (noun)

  1. an improper or indecorous act or remark; especially, an unacceptable use of a word or of language
  2. the quality or state of being improper

Impropriety (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the quality or state of not being socially proper

    "the impropriety of the song that the campers sang for the visitors was embarrassing"

    similar: inappropriateness, incorrectness, indecency, indecorousness, indecorum, indelicateness, unbecomingness, unfitness, unseemliness, untowardness
    related: coarseness, crudeness, vulgarity, immodesty, naughtiness, imprudence, indiscreetness, indiscretion, churlishness, discourteousness, disrespect, impertinence, impoliteness, impudence, incivility, inconsiderateness, inconsideration, insolence, rudeness, ungraciousness
    opposite: appropriateness, correctness, decency, decorousness, decorum, fitness, properness, propriety, rightness, seemliness, suitability, suitableness
    near: discretion, prudence, etiquette, form, manners, proprieties, considerateness, consideration, genteelness, gentility, graciousness, thoughtfulness

  2. a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark

    "such improprieties as asking people how much money they make"

    similar: familiarity, faux pas, gaff, gaffe, indiscretion, solecism
    related: blunder, error, flub, fumble, goof, lapse, miscue, misstep, mistake, oversight, slip, slipup, stumble, discourtesy, incivility, offense, boner, howler, foul-up, muff, misapprehension, miscalculation, misconception, misjudgment, misstatement, misunderstanding
    opposite: amenity, attention, civility, courtesy, formality, gesture, pleasantry
    near: form, manners, mores, proprieties

  3. the quality or state of being unsuitable or unfitting

    "I see no impropriety in referring to certain anatomical parts by their standard names"

    similar: improperness, inappositeness, inappropriateness, inaptness, incorrectness, infelicity, unfitness, wrongness
    related: extraneousness, inadequacy, inadequateness, inadmissibility, inapplicability, irrelevance, meaninglessness, pointlessness, senselessness, inauspiciousness, inexpedience, inexpediency, intolerability, undesirability, undesirableness, unsatisfactoriness, uselessness, unbecomingness
    opposite: appositeness, appropriateness, aptness, correctness, felicitousness, felicity, fitness, fittingness, properness, propriety, rightness, seemliness, suitability, suitableness
    near: admissibility, applicability, bearing, connection, materiality, pertinence, pointedness, relevance, relevancy

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Impropriety

The most common words with a similar meaning to Impropriety:

inappropriateness, incorrectness, indecency, indecorousness, indecorum, indelicateness, unbecomingness, unfitness, unseemliness, untowardness, familiarity, faux pas, gaff, gaffe, indiscretion, solecism, improperness, inappositeness, inaptness, infelicity, wrongness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Impropriety

Words with the opposite meaning of Impropriety:

appropriateness, correctness, decency, decorousness, decorum, fitness, properness, propriety, rightness, seemliness, suitability, suitableness, amenity, attention, civility, courtesy, formality, gesture, pleasantry, appositeness, aptness, felicitousness, felicity, fittingness

Related Words for Impropriety

coarseness, crudeness, vulgarity, immodesty, naughtiness, imprudence, indiscreetness, churlishness, discourteousness, disrespect, impertinence, impoliteness, impudence, incivility, inconsiderateness, inconsideration, insolence, rudeness, ungraciousness, blunder, error, flub, fumble, goof, lapse, miscue, misstep, mistake, oversight, slip

Near Antonyms of Impropriety

discretion, prudence, etiquette, form, manners, proprieties, considerateness, consideration, genteelness, gentility, graciousness, thoughtfulness, mores, admissibility, applicability, bearing, connection, materiality, pertinence, pointedness, relevance, relevancy

Word Forms of Impropriety

Inflections: improprieties

Origin & Etymology of Impropriety

French or Late Latin; French impropriété, from Late Latin improprietat-, improprietas, from Latin improprius

First known use: 1611

Frequently Asked Questions about Impropriety

What does "Impropriety" mean?

"Impropriety" means an improper or indecorous act or remark; especially, an unacceptable use of a word or of language. As a noun, it is defined as: an improper or indecorous act or remark; especially, an unacceptable use of a word or of language. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Impropriety"?

Other words for "Impropriety" include inappropriateness, incorrectness, indecency, indecorousness, indecorum, indelicateness, unbecomingness and unfitness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Impropriety" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Impropriety"?

There are 82 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Impropriety". Common alternatives include inappropriateness, incorrectness, indecency, indecorousness, indecorum, indelicateness, unbecomingness, unfitness, unseemliness and untowardness.

What is the opposite of "Impropriety"?

Antonyms of "Impropriety" include appropriateness, correctness, decency, decorousness, decorum, fitness, properness and propriety. Near antonyms include discretion, prudence, etiquette and form.

How do you use "Impropriety" in a sentence?

Examples of "Impropriety" in a sentence: "the impropriety of the song that the campers sang for the visitors was embarrassing"; "such improprieties as asking people how much money they make"; "I see no impropriety in referring to certain anatomical parts by their standard names".

Is "Impropriety" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Impropriety" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Impropriety"?

"Impropriety" is pronounced /ˌim-p(r)ə-ˈprī-ə-tē/ and divided into syllables as im·pro·pri·e·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Impropriety"?

"Impropriety" comes from French or Late Latin; French impropriété, from Late Latin improprietat-, improprietas, from Latin improprius. First known use: 1611.