proper
gb/pɹˈɑpɚ/ us/pɹˈɑpɚ/
A2
English
~ 1500
illő, illik, alkalmas, megfelelő, kézenfekvő, rendes, igazi, tulajdonképpeni, maga a/az
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is proper
It is not proper to talk loudly in the library.
Nem illik hangosan beszélni a könyvtárban.
She wore a proper dress for the formal dinner.
Az alkalomhoz illő ruhát viselt a hivatalos vacsorán.
He always behaves in a proper manner at work.
The teacher reminded students about proper classroom behavior.
Learner examples
It is proper to say thank you.
Illik köszönetet mondani.
He used proper words in his speech.
Illő szavakat használt a beszédében.
She wears proper clothes at school.
We must have proper manners at the table.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'proper' with 'own' as in 'my proper room'; in modern English, 'proper' in this sense is rare outside British informal usage.
Meaning
socially or morally correct
Collocations
proper behavior
|proper conduct
|proper manners
|proper etiquette
Synonyms
appropriate (Suitable for a particular situation; less focused on moral correctness.)
|
respectable (Seen as good or acceptable by society; may imply higher social status.)
Antonyms
improper (Not acceptable according to social or moral standards.)
|
inappropriate (Not suitable for a particular situation.)
Themes
society
|behavior
|manners
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Right or good according to social rules or morals.
Conforming to accepted standards of behavior, morals, or correctness.
A2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is proper for [purpose/situation]
Make sure you have the proper equipment before starting the job.
Mielőtt elkezded a munkát, győződj meg róla, hogy megvan a megfelelő felszerelésed.
This medicine must be stored under proper conditions.
Ezt a gyógyszert megfelelő körülmények között kell tárolni.
The report was returned because it lacked the proper format.
Learner examples
I need the proper shoes for running.
Megfelelő cipőre van szükségem a futáshoz.
We used the proper tool to fix the door.
A megfelelő szerszámot használtuk az ajtó megjavításához.
She gave the plant proper water and light.
Meaning
suitable or appropriate
Collocations
proper tools
|proper care
|proper procedure
Synonyms
suitable (Matches the needs of a situation; neutral tone.)
|
adequate (Enough to meet needs, though not necessarily ideal.)
Antonyms
unsuitable (Not right for the situation or use.)
|
inadequate (Not enough to meet the need.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Right or good for a specific purpose or situation.
Suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose or situation.
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is the proper [noun]
After weeks of snacks, I finally had a proper meal.
Hetekig tartó nassolás után végre rendes ételt ettem.
He wants to find a proper job instead of temporary work.
Ideiglenes munka helyett rendes állást szeretne találni.
We haven't had a proper holiday in years.
Learner examples
I want a proper meal, not just bread.
Rendes ételt szeretnék, nem csak kenyeret.
She has a proper job now.
Most már rendes állása van.
We will take a proper rest tomorrow.
Meaning
real or genuine version
Collocations
proper meal
|proper job
|proper holiday
Synonyms
real (Existing or true; less formal and broader in meaning.)
|
genuine (Truly what it is claimed to be; often used for authenticity.)
Antonyms
fake (Not real; made to look like something else.)
|
partial (Only a part, not complete.)
Themes
emphasis
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The real or main kind of something, not a copy or part of it.
Used to emphasize that something is the real, complete, or main example of its kind.
B2
FORMAL
4
maga a/az
B1
Usage pattern:
the [noun] proper
The city proper has a population of 500,000.
A tulajdonképpeni városnak 500 000 lakosa van.
This rule applies to the school proper, not its satellite campuses.
Ez a szabály magára az iskolára vonatkozik, nem a kihelyezett telephelyeire.
The castle proper is surrounded by gardens.
Learner examples
The town proper is very small.
Maga a város nagyon kicsi.
The park proper is inside the walls.
Maga a park a falakon belül van.
The church proper is open on Sundays.
Meaning
belonging exclusively to something
Collocations
the city proper
|the church proper
Synonyms
specific (Clearly defined and distinct, but not necessarily exclusive.)
|
peculiar (Belonging uniquely to; more common in formal writing.)
Antonyms
general (Not specific or exclusive to one thing.)
Themes
formal language
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Belonging only to one person, thing, or place.
Belonging exclusively or particularly to a specific person, thing, or place.
Grammar
Dictionary form
proper
IPA
GB/pɹˈɑpɚ/
US/pɹˈɑpɚ/
Syllables & stress
prop - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (prop)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: proper
Word family
Core family
properly
adverb A2
Negative and opposite forms
improper
adjective B2
improperly
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
propriety
noun C1
Expressions
in its proper place
1/ˈɪn ˈɪts pɹˈɑpɚ plˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
in the right location
In the place where it should be kept.
Examples
- After using the tools, put each one in its proper place.
- The painting was finally hung in its proper place on the wall.
in proper order
1/ˈɪn pɹˈɑpɚ ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
arranged correctly or neatly
Arranged in the right way or order.
Examples
- Please put the books back in proper order.
- Everything in the office was in proper order after cleaning.
proper noun
1/pɹˈɑpɚ nˈaʊn/
fixed phrase
technical
name of specific person/place/thing
A noun that names a specific person, place, or thing and starts with a capital letter in English.
Examples
- 'London' and 'Sarah' are examples of proper nouns.
- "Paris" is a proper noun because it is the name of one specific city.
- In English, days of the week are written as proper nouns.
- In English, we write proper nouns with a capital letter at the beginning.
- Names of months, such as "July", are also proper nouns.