adj.
- truly what something is said or regarded to be; genuine:
she's never had a proper job.
▸
[
postpos.]
strictly so called:
the World Cup proper.
- suitable or appropriate; correct.
▸respectable.
-
(proper to)
belonging or relating exclusively to.
▸(of a psalm, prayer, etc.) appointed for a particular day or occasion.
▸archaic belonging to oneself.
-
[usu. postpos.]
Heraldry in the natural colours.
- archaic or dialect good-looking.
adv.
Brit. informal or
dialect correctly.
▸thoroughly.
n.
the part of a church service that varies with the season or feast.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from OFr. propre, from L. proprius ‘one's own, special’.