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appropriate

appropriate

962 3.5
Right for a particular situation, person, or purpose
  • adjective
  • /əˈproʊpriət/
translation icon : adecuado
  • What kind of measure would you say is appropriate?
  • developmentally appropriate
  • an appropriate strategy
  • appropriate or inappropriate

Let's go thoughtfully at an appropriate pace as fast as we can.

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Examples

  • Selecting an appropriate outfit is essential for a job interview.

  • But Sean, can you cue some appropriate music for this episode?

  • We should each be treated with appropriate respect.

  • These are appropriate questions at this point.

  • This is rather appropriate for you.

  • For example, reading music may be an appropriate goal if there is a practical use for it.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Seems more appropriate for the holidays.

  • What age do you think is appropriate to give children cell phones?

  • In addition, the teachers have difficulty finding appropriate educational software to use during their lessons.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Several delegates spoke of the importance of using appropriate language when talking to patients about self-care.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

proper
vsappropriate
596 2.2

Suitable and correct for a particular situation or use

is mainly about being right for a purpose rather than following moral rules
acceptable
vsappropriate
477 2.5

Good enough for a particular use or standard

focuses on being right for a situation, not merely meeting minimum standards
correct
vsappropriate
282 1.0

Suitable for a particular situation or purpose

is about being right for a situation rather than strictly factual correctness
suitable
vsappropriate
172 1.8

Right for a certain purpose, person, or situation

is the general idea of being right for a particular situation or purpose
fitting
vsappropriate
168 2.6

Suitable for a person, purpose, or event

is the broader notion of being right for a situation or purpose
applicable
vsappropriate
84 4.4

Suitable for a situation or purpose

is about being right for a situation rather than being usable in it
fit
vsappropriate
79 1.0

Suitable and good enough for a particular purpose

is the broad concept of being right for a situation or aim
apt
vsappropriate
31 4.0

Suitable or fitting for a particular situation

is used more generally rather than showing a striking or pointed match
advisable
vsappropriate
23 3.9

Sensible to do in the situation

is about being right for a situation rather than being a prudent recommendation
suited
vsappropriate
16 2.8

Right for a certain person, job, or situation

is about being right for a situation by matching its needs
befitting
vsappropriate
2 4.6

Suitable for a person, situation, or occasion

is the general idea of being right for purpose without ceremonial tone
apposite
vsappropriate
  • Formal
1 8.0

Very suitable and relevant to a particular situation

is broader and used for general rightness rather than precise topical relevance

Antonyms

354 3.7

Not right for a situation or event

Compounds

Right for a student's school grade and ability

How Appropriate

ideal
203 4.2
fitting
168 2.6
appropriate
962 3.5
suitable
172 1.8
acceptable
477 2.5

Surface Forms

appropriate positive
appropriater comparative
appropriatest superlative

Etymology

Appropriate comes from the Latin parts ad- 'to' and proprius 'one's own' and is related to the simple word proper. So, something appropriate is 'right for' a person or situation because it 'belongs' there.