Skip to the word

Added 8 October 2026

proper

/ˈpɹɒpə/ adjective

In Latin: aptus, idōneus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about proper at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness.
proper medical treatment
Having all the qualities typical of the thing specified.
wanted a proper dinner, not just a snack
Limited to the thing specified.
the city proper

Origin

From Middle English propre, from Anglo-Norman proper, propre, Old French propre (French: propre), from Latin proprius.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word