Proper — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Proper (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

1. following the established traditions of refined society and good taste

   "the formal ball called for proper attire—tuxedos and full-length gowns only"

   similar: befitting, correct, decent, decorous, de rigueur, genteel, nice, polite, respectable, seemly
   related: acceptable, adequate, satisfactory, tolerable, dress, dressy, formal, dignified, elegant, gracious, priggish, prim, stiff, stuffy, apt, material, relevant, compatible, congenial, harmonious, allowed, authorized, kosher, permitted
   opposite: improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, ungenteel, unseemly
   near: intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, casual, grungy, informal, seedy, shabby, tacky, banned, barred, disallowed, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, awkward, gauche, ungraceful

2. being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard

   "there is really more than one proper way to pronounce that word in English"

   similar: accurate, bang on (chiefly British), correct, dead-on, exact, good, on-target, precise, right, so, spot-on, true, veracious, on target, on the money
   related: legitimate, logical, sound, valid, errorless, faultless, flawless, impeccable, inerrant, infallible, letter-perfect, perfect, rigorous, strict, stringent
   opposite: false, improper, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, off, untrue, wrong
   near: defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect

3. marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details

   "we had nodded and said hello to one another but had never had a proper introduction"

   similar: ceremonious, correct, decorous, formal, nice, punctilious, starchy, stiff, stiff-necked, stilted
   related: sober, solemn, stately, chivalrous, courtly, gallant, genteel, polished, refined, civil, courteous, polite, red-carpet
   opposite: casual, easygoing, informal, laid-back, unceremonious
   near: improper, indecorous, unmannerly, discourteous, impolite, rude

4. meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation

   "you'll need to have a proper diet if you want to lose weight"

   similar: applicable, appropriate, apt, becoming, befitting, felicitous, fit, fitted, fitting, good, happy, meet, pretty, right, suitable, in order
   related: condign, deserved, just, justified, needed, required, requisite, able, capable, competent, cut out, qualified, trained, pitch-perfect, acceptable, adequate, decent, kosher, satisfactory, serviceable, tolerable, correct, decorous, respectable, seemly, balanced, companionate, congruous, consonant, harmonious, rightful
   opposite: improper, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, indecent, infelicitous, malapropos, misbecoming, unapt, unbecoming, unbeseeming, unfit, unfitting, unhappy, unmeet, unseemly, unsuitable, wrong
   near: incapable, incompetent, inept, inexpert, unqualified, unskilled, unskillful, untrained, inadequate, intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, graceless, incorrect, indecorous, incompatible, uncongenial

5. serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group

   "malaria and other diseases that are proper to the tropics"

   similar: characteristic, classic, diagnostic, discriminating, distinct, distinctive, distinguishing, identifying, individual, peculiar, symptomatic, typical
   related: idiosyncratic, identifiable, pronounced, unmistakable, general, generic, common, normal, regular, usual, especial, particular, special, specific, archetypal, model, paradigmatic
   opposite: atypical, nontypical, uncharacteristic, untypical