Standard Lemma guide

properness

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈpɹɒ.pə.nəs/
  • General-American: /ˈpɹɒ.pɚ.nəs/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The state or condition of being proper; propriety.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The state or condition of being proper (of a proper fraction, proper subset, etc.).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Topics: mathematics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Excellence, quality.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete, uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

correct or appropriate behavior

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: propriety, correctitude

Antonyms: improperness

Broader terms: demeanor, demeanour, behavior, behaviour, conduct, deportment

Narrower terms: decorum, decorousness, appropriateness, rightness, correctness, good form, priggishness, primness, modesty, reserve, seemliness, grace, decency

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Latin propriusbor. Anglo-Norman proprebor. Middle English propre English proper Proto-Germanic *-in- Proto-Indo-European *-h2 Proto-Indo-European *-éh2 Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh2yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h2ti Proto-Germanic *-ōną Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English properness From proper + -ness.