propriety

noun

pro·​pri·​e·​ty prə-ˈprī-ə-tē 

plural proprieties

1

: the quality or state of being proper or suitable : appropriateness

2

a

: conformity to what is socially acceptable in conduct or speech

b

proprieties plural : the customs and manners of polite society

c

: fear of offending against conventional rules of behavior especially between the sexes

3

obsolete : true nature

4

obsolete : a special characteristic : peculiarity

Did you know?

In an earlier era, when social manners were far more elaborate than they are today, propriety and impropriety were words in constant use. Today we're more likely to use them in other contexts. We may talk about the propriety of government officials' dealings with private citizens, the propriety of the relationship between a lawyer and a judge, or the impropriety of speaking out of turn in a meeting that follows Robert's rules of order. Relations between men and women still present questions of propriety, but today it's often in the workplace rather than in social settings. Wherever rules, principles, and standard procedures have been clearly stated, propriety can become an issue. Something improper usually isn't actually illegal, but it makes people uncomfortable by giving the impression that something isn't quite right.

Synonyms

• decency
• decorum
• form

Examples of propriety in a Sentence

If Madison felt the same annoyance with the dissenters, his prim sense of political propriety forbade him from stooping to personal attacks. —Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings … , 1996

His austere and basically humble personality imposes a curious damp propriety upon his memorial. —John Updike, New Yorker, 1 July 1991

In contemporary America the appearance of prosperity is all too often taken as a sign of propriety. —Jack Beatty, Atlantic, December 1989

She conducted herself with propriety.

They debated the propriety of the punishment that he was given.

When attending a wedding, there are certain proprieties that must be observed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Expect trendy shoes from Good American like a denim pointed-toe slingback or even a ballet flat in crocodile, largely treated with their propriety On Cloud sole designed for comfort. —Mikelle Street, Them, 26 Nov. 2024

From professional oversight to social propriety, the pedometer served as a subtle but powerful mediator, quantifying life in ways that both reflected and challenged evolving norms of individual accountability and public transparency. —Jacqueline D. Wernimont, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024

With the Supreme Court having taken the flag’s mistreatment out of the legal realm more than three decades ago, questions of flag-display propriety shift instead to the world of norms, Magarian said. —Louis Jacobson, Austin American-Statesman, 23 May 2024

This new way to communicate without speaking allowed exchanging parties to bypass propriety and social expectations. —Essence, 28 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English propriete, from Anglo-French proprieté, propreté property, quality of a person or thing — more at property

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

propriety

noun

pro·​pri·​ety

p(r)ə-ˈprī-ət-ē

plural proprieties

1

: the quality or state of being proper

questioned the propriety of expelling him for such a minor offense

2

: correctness in manners or behavior : politeness

3

plural : the rules and customs of behavior followed by polite people