# proper

/ˈpɹɑpɝ/ (US) · /pɹˈɒpɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/proper
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. correct or suitable

adjective · CEFR B1

correct, right, or suitable for a specific situation.

For teachers: conforming to established standards of behavior or suitability; appropriate for the circumstances.

- It is important to wear the proper clothes for a job interview.
- The committee insisted that all members follow the proper procedure to ensure the final decision remained legally binding.

### 2. strictly defined

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. socially correct

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. grammar/names

adjective · CEFR B1 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. very or completely

adverb · CEFR C1 · British English · Dialect · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: In this sense, 'proper' functions as an adverb modifying an adjective.

### 6. religious service

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Make sure you use the proper tools for this job.
- Without the proper permits, the construction crew cannot begin work on the new office building.
- The diplomat emphasized that maintaining proper decorum was essential for the success of the international summit, regardless of the underlying political tensions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.