Proprieties — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /prə-ˈprī-ə-tē/ pro·pri·e·ty

Meaning & Definition of Proprieties

Proprieties (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being proper or suitable, appropriateness
  2. conformity to what is socially acceptable in conduct or speech
  3. the customs and manners of polite society

Proprieties (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting

    "an etiquette columnist who insists that traditional proprieties are necessary in order to maintain a civil society"

    similar: etiquette, form, manner, mores
    related: amenities, civilities, pleasantries, bearing, demeanor, deportment, mien, courtesy, decorum, mannerliness, politeness, formalities, protocol, rules, air, attitude, carriage, poise, polish, pose, posture, presence, custom, habit, pattern, practice, trick, way, wont, convention, fashion, mode, style

Related Entry: Propriety (noun)

Propriety is a different word from Proprieties. The synonyms below are for propriety, not for proprieties.

  1. socially acceptable behavior

    "some people miss the straitlaced propriety that was largely abandoned in the 1960s"

    similar: decency, decorum, form
    related: etiquette, civility, courteousness, courtesy, gentilesse, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, politeness, politesse, dignity, grace, refinement, discretion, prudence, appropriateness, correctitude, correctness, decorousness, fitness, rightness, seemliness, attention, attentiveness, care, carefulness, character, goodness, high-mindedness, honesty, honor, integrity, morality, probity, rectitude, righteousness, straightness, uprightness, virtue, virtuousness
    opposite: impropriety, indecency, indecorum
    near: coarseness, crudeness, gracelessness, discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, vulgarity, imprudence, indiscretion, badness, evil, immorality, wickedness, debauchery, degeneracy, degradation, depravity, perversion, crookedness, dishonesty, underhandedness, unscrupulousness

  2. personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting

    "an etiquette columnist who insists that traditional proprieties are necessary in order to maintain a civil society"

    similar: etiquette, form, manner, mores
    related: amenities, civilities, pleasantries, bearing, demeanor, deportment, mien, courtesy, decorum, mannerliness, politeness, formalities, protocol, rules, air, attitude, carriage, poise, polish, pose, posture, presence, custom, habit, pattern, practice, trick, way, wont, convention, fashion, mode, style

  3. the quality or state of being especially suitable or fitting

    "I'm not sure about the propriety of serving champagne in these glasses"

    similar: appositeness, appropriateness, aptness, felicitousness, felicity, fitness, fittingness, happiness, properness, rightness, seemliness, suitability, suitableness
    related: agreeableness, compatibility, congruity, harmoniousness, applicability, bearing, connection, justifiability, materiality, pertinence, relevance, relevancy, validity, acceptability, adequacy, adequateness, convenience, expedience, expediency, satisfactoriness, serviceableness, usefulness
    opposite: improperness, impropriety, inappositeness, inappropriateness, inaptness, infelicity, unfitness, unseemliness, unsuitability, wrongness
    near: disagreeableness, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, inexpedience, inexpediency, inharmoniousness, unbecomingness, immateriality, inapplicability, irrelevance, irrelevancy, meaninglessness, pointlessness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Proprieties

The most common words with a similar meaning to Proprieties:

etiquette, form, manner, mores

Related Words for Proprieties

amenities, civilities, pleasantries, bearing, demeanor, deportment, mien, courtesy, decorum, mannerliness, politeness, formalities, protocol, rules, air, attitude, carriage, poise, polish, pose, posture, presence, custom, habit, pattern, practice, trick, way, wont, convention

Origin & Etymology of Proprieties

Middle English propriete "distinctive quality, proper meaning of a word, propriety, fitness, ownership, land or goods owned" property

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Proprieties

What does "Proprieties" mean?

"Proprieties" means the quality or state of being proper or suitable, appropriateness. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being proper or suitable, appropriateness.

What is another word for "Proprieties"?

Other words for "Proprieties" include etiquette, form, manner and mores. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Proprieties" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Proprieties"?

There are 37 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Proprieties". Common alternatives include etiquette, form, manner and mores.

How do you use "Proprieties" in a sentence?

Examples of "Proprieties" in a sentence: "an etiquette columnist who insists that traditional proprieties are necessary in order to maintain a civil society".

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

"Proprieties" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Proprieties"?

"Proprieties" is pronounced /prə-ˈprī-ə-tē/ and divided into syllables as pro·pri·e·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Proprieties"?

"Proprieties" comes from Middle English propriete "distinctive quality, proper meaning of a word, propriety, fitness, ownership, land or goods owned" property. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Proprieties" meaning "personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting"?

When "Proprieties" (noun) means personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting, synonyms include etiquette, form, manner and mores.