Word
inappropriate
Phoneticsin·ap·pro·pri·ate, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪnəˈpɹoʊpɹiɪt/
UK/ˌɪnɐpɹˈəʊpɹiət/
Definitions
01not suitable
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not right or suitable for a particular situation, person, or place.
adj. unsuitable or improper for a specific context, social setting, or purpose.
“Wearing shorts to a formal wedding is usually considered inappropriate.”
“The board found his comments during the press conference highly inappropriate for someone in a senior leadership position.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'for' or 'to'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02socially or sexually improper
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. behaving in a way that is socially wrong, often involving unwanted sexual talk or actions.
adj. violating social or professional boundaries, frequently used as a euphemism for sexual harassment or offensive conduct.
“She complained to HR after her manager made several inappropriate jokes.”
“The investigation focused on allegations of inappropriate physical contact between the staff members during the office retreat.”
Teaching tip
In modern workplaces, this is often the standard professional term used to describe sexual harassment without using the legal label.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “inappropriate” in context.
Verb
01. deem the behavior inappropriate
“The committee decided to deem the behavior inappropriate and issued a formal warning.”
verb + noun + adj
02. find the remarks inappropriate
“Many viewers found the remarks inappropriate and complained to the broadcasting regulator.”
verb + noun + adj
Adjective
03. inappropriate for the occasion
“Wearing casual beachwear to a formal wedding is quite inappropriate for the occasion.”
adj + prep + noun
04. inappropriate to suggest
“It would be inappropriate to suggest a change in leadership while the CEO is on medical leave.”
adj + infinitive
Noun
05. inappropriate use of resources
“The audit revealed an inappropriate use of resources within the marketing department.”
adj + noun + prep + noun
Adverb
06. highly inappropriate
“The manager's comments during the meeting were considered highly inappropriate by the entire staff.”
adv + adj
07. wholly inappropriate
“Using company funds for personal travel is wholly inappropriate and grounds for dismissal.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“In response, the senior civil servants' union the FDA said it was "entirely inappropriate" to call for the resignation of officials who were "duty-bound to serve ministers" and "could not defend themselves publicly".” “He added that they were costly and “send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a country that, as long as Donald J Trump has been president, has been unthreatening and respectful”.” Etymology
From in- + appropriate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/inappropriate