propriety
gb/pɹəpɹˈaɪəti/ us/pɹəpɹˈaɪəti/
C1
English
~ 25400
illendőség, helyénvalóság
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
illendőség
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a sense of propriety about [something]
Her strong sense of propriety kept her from making any personal remarks at the meeting.
Erős illendőségérzéke visszatartotta attól, hogy személyes megjegyzéseket tegyen az értekezleten.
He was careful to behave with perfect propriety in front of his girlfriend's parents.
Ügyelt rá, hogy a barátnője szülei előtt kifogástalan illendőséggel viselkedjen.
The politician's jokes were widely criticized as a serious breach of propriety.
Even in private letters, she maintained a level of propriety that now seems old‑fashioned.
The novel shocked readers at the time by openly challenging Victorian ideas of sexual propriety.
Learner examples
He did not drink at work because of his sense of propriety.
Illendőségérzéke miatt nem ivott a munkahelyén.
She spoke with great propriety when she met the king.
Nagy illendőséggel beszélt, amikor találkozott a királlyal.
The teacher said his talk in class showed a lack of propriety.
People in that small town care a lot about social propriety.
His parents taught him the propriety of saying "please" and "thank you."
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "propriety" with "property" because they look similar. "Propriety" is about correct or proper behavior, while "property" is about things that belong to someone. Another mistake is using "propriety" in very casual situations where native speakers would simply say "good manners" or "politeness."
Meaning
conformity to social or moral norms
Collocations
a sense of propriety
|social propriety
|the bounds of propriety
|a breach of propriety
|offend against propriety
|observe the proprieties
Synonyms
decorum (Emphasizes calm, controlled, and socially proper behavior, especially in public or formal settings.)
|
decency (Stresses basic moral rightness and modesty, sometimes with a slightly more moral or sexual focus.)
|
respectability (Suggests behavior that makes someone look morally correct and socially acceptable in other people's eyes.)
Antonyms
impropriety (Direct opposite; refers to behavior that does not follow accepted moral or social standards.)
|
indecency (Focuses on behavior that is shocking or offensive to moral or sexual standards.)
Themes
society
|ethics
|behavior
|relationships
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Behavior that is careful to follow what people think is polite, correct, or morally right.
Behavior or standards of behavior that follow what society generally accepts as correct, polite, or morally proper.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
the propriety of [doing something / a decision / an action]
Some shareholders have begun to question the propriety of the board's decision.
Néhány részvényes elkezdte megkérdőjelezni az igazgatótanács döntésének helyénvalóságát.
The judge asked the lawyers to consider the propriety of releasing the documents to the media.
A bíró arra kérte az ügyvédeket, hogy mérlegeljék a dokumentumok sajtónak történő kiadásának helyénvalóságát.
Many staff members doubted the propriety of accepting such an expensive gift from a supplier.
He never considered the propriety of using company funds for his private trip.
The committee will review the legal propriety of the proposed policy changes.
Learner examples
They argued about the propriety of the manager's choice.
A vezető döntésének helyénvalóságáról vitatkoztak.
The company lawyer checked the propriety of the contract.
A cég jogásza ellenőrizte a szerződés megfelelőségét.
Some people questioned the propriety of inviting clients to such a private party.
We must think about the propriety of sharing this information.
She was unsure about the propriety of asking her boss for a loan.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "the propriety to do something" instead of "the propriety of doing something" or "the propriety of [a noun]." Another common error is using "propriety" where the more usual word would be "right" or "okay" in everyday speech; "propriety" is mainly used in more formal discussion of decisions or actions.
Meaning
appropriateness of an act or decision
Collocations
the propriety of his actions
|question the propriety of [something]
|legal propriety
|moral propriety
|doubt the propriety
|consider the propriety of [doing something]
Synonyms
appropriateness (Very close in meaning; neutral term for being right or suitable to the situation.)
|
suitability (Focuses slightly more on being a good fit or match for a purpose or context.)
|
propriety (N/A)
Antonyms
inappropriateness (Direct negative; indicates that something is not suitable or right for the situation.)
|
impropriety (Often used in legal, political, or business contexts for actions that are not just unsuitable but also morally or professionally wrong.)
Themes
ethics
|law
|business
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The fact that an action, word, or decision is the right or suitable thing to do in that situation.
The quality of being right, appropriate, or suitable for a particular situation, especially in moral, legal, or professional terms.
Grammar
Dictionary form
propriety
IPA
GB/pɹəpɹˈaɪəti/
US/pɹəpɹˈaɪəti/
Syllables & stress
pro - pri - ety (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pri)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: propriety
- Plural: proprieties, propriety
Word family
Forms
proprieties
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
properness
noun
Expressions
a breach of propriety
1/ə bɹˈit͡ʃ əv pɹəpɹˈaɪəti/
fixed phrase
formal
violation of accepted standards
An action that does not follow what people think is polite, correct, or morally right.
Examples
- Publishing the private emails was widely seen as a serious breach of propriety.
- The committee decided that his comments did not amount to a breach of propriety.
a sense of propriety
1/ə sˈɛns əv pɹəpɹˈaɪəti/
fixed phrase
formal
personal feeling for proper behavior
A strong personal feeling that you must act in a way that is polite and morally right according to society.
Examples
- Her strong sense of propriety stopped her from making a joke at the funeral.
- Out of a sense of propriety, he refused to comment on his colleague's private life.
the bounds of propriety
1/ðə bˈaʊndz əv pɹəpɹˈaɪəti/
fixed phrase
formal
limits of acceptable behavior
The limits of what people think is polite or morally right behavior.
Examples
- His remarks went far beyond the bounds of propriety.
- Within the bounds of propriety, you may answer the press's questions.
the proprieties
1/ðə pɹˈɑpɹitiz/
fixed phrase
formal
accepted rules of good behavior
The accepted rules about how to behave politely in a social group or society.
Examples
- She carefully observed all the proprieties when she visited the ambassador's house.
- At that time, ignoring the social proprieties could damage a young woman's reputation.