Basic+ Word of the Day: proper

proper (adjective)

That isn't the proper way to lift a box.

We use proper when we want to say that something is correct.

• What’s the proper pronunciation of ‘photographer’?

Proper can also mean ‘real’ or ‘very good.’

• You only had a bag of chips? That’s not a proper lunch!

Related words

Properly means ‘in the correct way.’ For example, “Am I saying your name properly?”

In pop culture

Do you ever have to wear a tie? Do you know how to tie it properly? Watch this video to learn the proper way to tie a tie!

There are other meanings of proper.