proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

PROPER definition: 1. real, satisfactory, suitable, or correct: 2. showing standards of behaviour that are socially…. Learn more.

Definition of proper adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. [only before noun] (especially British English) right, appropriate or correct; according to the rules. We should have …

Dec 14, 2025 · Excellent, of high quality; such as the specific person or thing should ideally be.

(immediately postpositive) (of an object, quality, etc) referred to or named specifically so as to exclude anything not directly connected with it: his claim is connected with the deed proper

1. used to mean 'real' You use proper in front of a noun to emphasize that someone or something really is the thing referred to by the noun. It's important to have a proper breakfast in the …

PROPER definition: adapted or appropriate to the purpose or circumstances; fit; suitable. See examples of proper used in a sentence.

You use proper to describe things that you consider to be real and satisfactory rather than inadequate in some way. Two out of five people lack a proper job. I always cook a proper …

We sure have messed things up proper. [= thoroughly, completely] They beat us good and proper.

The study of proper names is sometimes called onomastics or onomatology, while a rigorous analysis of the semantics of proper names is a matter for philosophy of language. [8] …