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proper

proper

192 1.7
Complete and normal for its kind, not small or simple
  • adjective
  • /ˈprɑːpər/
translation icon : verdadero
  • But today, Taiwan has finally developed the proper economic and social base for successful democracy.
  • proper functioning
  • proper operation
  • proper development

It's like that's a proper, proper athlete.

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Examples

  • OK, I decided to record a proper tour of the house.

  • So the point is that proper balance is the key.

  • And of course it's got proper feet on the end now.

  • "For tonight," Adam said, "we have a proper dinner and early to bed."

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I've never been on a proper ship like a cruise before.

  • Now, Jajuan will remain in our custody until you can pay for proper child care.

  • In essence, the debate is about the proper object and method of Christian ethics or moral theology.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The psychologist, as an expert, provides the answers and offers the proper tools to improve parenting skills.

    Academic text (2011)
  • To perform well on the exam, I need to study in a proper environment without distractions.

  • She wore a proper dress for the formal dinner, complete with heels and elegant jewelry.

Synonyms

true
vsproper
993 1.0

Recognized as real, for example an owner or heir

focuses on meeting expected qualities and normal correctness
typical
vsproper
843 1.0

Having the usual qualities of a person, thing, or group

emphasizes meeting all expected qualities and full correctness

Antonyms

833 1.8

Not real and made to look like something real

Idioms

Very formal and correct in clothes and manners, often strict and stiff

good and proper
  • Informal
1 6.2

Completely and in the right way

Compounds

Teaching that gives the skills someone needs to do a job safely and correctly

proper name
  • Specialized
4 4.9

A name for a specific person, place, or thing that we write with a capital letter

proper noun
  • Specialized
1 2.1

A name for a specific person, place, or organization

proper fraction
  • Specialized
3.3

A fraction with a top number smaller than the bottom number

How Complete

hearty
13 2.7
proper
192 1.7
adequate
234 2.7
light
12 7.0

Surface Forms

proper positive

Etymology

Proper also kept a sense of being 'complete' or 'real' from Latin proprius 'one's own', so a 'proper' meal is a full, real meal with what it should have. That's why we use proper to mean complete or normal for a type of thing.