proper

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. real or actual, used to distinguish the main part of something from its surroundings.

adj. denoting the central or essential part of something, strictly defined and excluding related areas; often used postpositionally.

“We live in the suburbs, not in the city proper.”

“While the suburbs have expanded significantly, the city proper maintains a much higher population density and a distinct administrative structure.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal

adj. behaving in a way that is considered socially acceptable and polite.

adj. adhering strictly to social convention or formal etiquette.

“She was always very proper and never used bad language.”

“The Victorian era was characterized by a strict code of conduct that required individuals to remain proper in even the most casual social interactions.”

B1 · Intermediate Grammar Technical

adj. used to describe a name of a specific person, place, or thing that starts with a capital letter.

adj. designating a specific entity as a name, as opposed to a common class of things; typically capitalized.

“London and Mary are proper nouns, so they start with a big letter.”

“Students often struggle to distinguish between common nouns and proper nouns when learning the capitalization rules of English.”

C1 · Advanced British English · Dialect · Informal

adv. very, completely, or in a way that is real.

adv. functioning as an intensifier meaning 'thoroughly' or 'completely'.

“I was proper annoyed when I missed the last bus home.”

“By the time they reached the summit, the hikers were proper exhausted and ready to set up camp for the night.”

C2 · Proficiency Plural noun Religion Technical · Formal

n. the parts of a church service that change depending on the date.

n. the parts of the Mass or Liturgy that vary according to the specific day in the liturgical calendar.

“The choir practiced the proper for the Easter Sunday service.”

“The priest consulted the missal to ensure the correct proper was used for the feast day of the patron saint.”