# propriety

/pɹəˈpɹaɪəti/ (US) · /pɹəpɹˈaɪəti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/propriety
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. correct behaviour

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

behaving in a way that is socially correct, polite, and honest.

For teachers: conformity to conventionally accepted standards of behaviour or morals. Often used in the plural to refer to specific rules of etiquette.

- The young man behaved with great propriety during the formal dinner.
- The committee questioned the propriety of the chairman's involvement in the contract negotiations, citing a potential conflict of interest.

Usage: Commonly used in the singular to describe a general quality or in the plural ('the proprieties') to describe social rules.

### 2. suitability

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

the quality of being right or suitable for a particular situation.

For teachers: the state or quality of being appropriate, fitting, or suitable for a specific purpose or context.

- Some people doubted the propriety of building a factory so close to the school.
- The architect defended the propriety of the design, arguing that the modern materials were perfectly suited to the historic surroundings.

Teaching tip: In modern English, this sense is less common than the 'correct behaviour' sense; 'appropriateness' is usually preferred in casual contexts.

### 3. ownership

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

the state of owning something, or the right to own it.

For teachers: the condition of being a proprietor; the right of possession or ownership.

- The documents proved his propriety over the family estate.
- Legal scholars debated the nature of propriety in land tenure systems before the industrial revolution.

Usage: Rarely used in modern general English; 'property' or 'ownership' are the standard terms.

Teaching tip: This sense is largely historical or restricted to specific legal discussions regarding the history of land rights.

## Examples

- She maintained her propriety even when the situation was difficult.
- The young diplomat was careful to observe all the propriety of the royal court to avoid any diplomatic offense.
- In an era of digital transparency, the traditional propriety of private correspondence has been largely replaced by the immediacy and informality of instant messaging.

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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.