properly

adverb

prop·​er·​ly ˈprä-pər-lē 

: in a proper manner:

a

: in an acceptable or suitable way

behaving properly

trying to get the system to work properly

"Oh yes, I am not at all ashamed of it. I would have everybody marry if they can do it properly."

—Jane Austen

b

: in an accurate or correct way

It might more properly be termed a musical device than a musical form.

—Aaron Copland

Scoop out the seeds (properly called arils, a botanical term that includes the tiny actual seeds and the juicy, edible pulp around them).

—David Karp

Synonyms

• appositely
• appropriately
• congruously
• correctly
• duly
• fittingly
• happily
• meetly
• right
• rightly
• suitably

Examples of properly in a Sentence

the scouts were properly dressed for a week of camping

Recent Examples on the Web

Jet planes have lots of speed but need runways and even the STOVL variety need a properly flat surface to land on. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2024

Advertisement Dealers will inspect the SUVs and properly connect the neck tube to the fuel filler pipe if needed. —Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

This is likely to occur if the bone ends aren't aligned properly. —Maggie Aime, Msn, Health, 6 Dec. 2024

How Did Tyre Sampson Fall? Tyre, who was 6-foot-2 and weighed 380 pounds, had not been properly secured into his harness, which failed to lock because of his size. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

properly

adverb

prop·​er·​ly

ˈpräp-ər-lē

1

: in a fit or suitable way

behave properly in church

2

: according to fact : correctly

properly labeled goods

properly speaking, whales are not fish