Meaning of appropriate in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions
  3. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  4. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /əˈproʊpriət/

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  1. Verb

    appropriate

    Definitions

    1. give or assign a share of money or time to a particular person or cause

    Examples

    • « I will earmark this money for your research »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. take possession of by force, as after an invasion

    Examples

    • « the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants »
    • « The army seized the town »
    • « The militia captured the castle »

    Derived terms

  3. Classifying Adjective

    appropriate

    Definitions

    1. appropriate for achieving a particular end

    Examples

    • « implies a lack of concern for fairness »

    Synonyms

  4. 2. meant or adapted for an occasion or use

    Examples

    • « a tractor suitable (or fit) for heavy duty »
    • « not an appropriate (or fit) time for flippancy »

    Synonyms

  5. 3. suitable and fitting

    Examples

    • « the tailored clothes were harmonious with her military bearing »

    Synonyms

  6. 4. being of striking appropriateness and pertinence

    Examples

    • « the successful copywriter is a master of apposite and evocative verbal images »
    • « an apt reply »

    Synonyms

  7. Qualitative Adjective

    appropriate

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from late Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare‘make one's own’, from ad-‘to’ + proprius‘own, proper’

    Definitions

    1. suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc

    Examples

    • « a book not appropriate for children »
    • « a funeral conducted the appropriate solemnity »
    • « it seems that an apology is appropriate »

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

Famous quotes

  • « Non-disclosure in the Internet Age is quickly perceived as a breach of trust. Government, corporations and each of us as individuals must recalibrate how we live and share our lives appropriate to the information now available and the expectations of others. »
    Simon Mainwaring
  • « The challenge as we saw in the Nigerian project was to restructure the economy decisively in the direction of a modern free market as an appropriate environment for cultivation of freedom and democracy and the natural emergence of a new social order. »
    Ibrahim Babangida
  • « In the future, instead of striving to be right at a high cost, it will be more appropriate to be flexible and plural at a lower cost. If you cannot accurately predict the future then you must flexibly be prepared to deal with various possible futures. »
    Edward de Bono
  • « What we're doing is making sure that we have a safe and secure border region from San Diego all the way to Brownsville. And that means manpower, it means technology, it means infrastructure, it means interior enforcement. All, you know, kind of layered in appropriate ways, and making sure, like I said before, the border is safe and secure. »
    Janet Napolitano
  • « The essential elements of giving are power and love - activity and affection - and the consciousness of the race testifies that in the high and appropriate exercise of these is a blessedness greater than any other. »
    Mark Hopkins

See also

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