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

But division one has to properly fund division two. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s attempt to end DACA was not done properly. —Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Bugs—or, more properly, insects—are technically a form of crustacean. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025

Consider raised beds if preparing the soil properly isn't possible. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for properly

• improperly

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