PROPER

adj. 1 right, appropriate, apropos, apt, suitable, fit, fitting, befitting, becoming, suited, apposite, de rigueur, comme il faut, adapted, Literary meet Is this the proper time to ask for a salary increase? 2 correct, accurate, exact, right, precise, orthodox, formal, expected, normal, usual, accepted, established, Old-fashioned Brit tickety-boo Some insist that the only proper way to pronounce 'controversy' is with the stress on the first syllable 3 decorous, dignified, genteel, fitting, right, de rigueur, appropriate, becoming, suitable, decent, seemly, due, correct, apt, comme il faut, conformist; gentlemanly, ladylike, polite, refined, punctilious, respectable Jeans are not proper attire for dinner at La Hacienda Do you call that proper behaviour for the president of a learned society? 4 fitting, suitable, correct, right, satisfactory, good, sensible The kitchen is a proper place for the dishwasher, not the garage Proper nutrition is very important. 5 complete, perfect, utter, thorough, thoroughgoing, out-and-out, unmitigated He felt a proper fool for having locked his keys inside his car 6 own, individual, separate, distinct, correct, specific, special, particular, respective; characteristic, distinctive, peculiar, singular, unique When you have finished, return each book to its proper place quasi-adv. 7 strictly speaking or so-called, in the strict(est) or narrow(est) sense, only, solely, alone, on (its or someone's) own: Does the deed refer only to the house proper or are the outbuildings also included?