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

The commission properly performed its duties in cases against David Geffen, the Edge and Vinod Khosla. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024

When the track properly kicks in, the different elements of the busy mix all come through, though the low-mids of the bassline and mids of the vocals stand in the front while the guitar strums and drums sit a bit further back. —PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024

Pros of Mobile Hunting the Rut There are numerous advantages of mobile hunting when it’s done properly. —Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024

The doors on the tabulation machines had not been properly sealed the first time the ballots were counted, according to Caroline Reinwald, a spokesperson for the Milwaukee Election Commission. —Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 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