proper

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Suitable.

   • the proper time to plant potatoes
   • The proper study of mankind is man.
   • One of the hidden glories of Victorian engineering is proper drains. Isolating a city’s effluent and shipping it away in underground sewers has probably saved more lives than any medical procedure except vaccination.
2. 2

   Possessed, related.

3. 3

   Accurate, strictly applied.

   • Now that was a proper breakfast.
4. ›+ 5 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      properly

      properly; thoroughly; completely.

      • 'I thought it was the American Associated Press.' 'Oh, they are on the track, are they?' 'They to-day, and the Times yesterday. Oh, they are buzzing round proper.'
      • “Christmas Eve,” said Nabby Adams. “I used to pump the bloody organ for the carols, proper pissed usually.”
      • The kid towelled him up proper.
   2. 5

      properly.

      • "But it's not many of us as can make 'em proper."
      • When I meet a bad chick, know I gotta tell her hello talk real proper, but she straight up out the ghetto
   3. 6

      Something set apart for a special use.

   4. 7

      A part of the Christian liturgy that varies according to the date.

   5. 8

      A surname.

The neighborhood

• neighborappropriate
• neighborpropriety
• neighborproperly