Appropriate Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 5, 2024
Appropriate means suitable or proper in the circumstances. e.g., She wore an appropriate dress for the formal event.
Table of Contents
Appropriate Definitions
Fitting or proper in the context.
His comments were not appropriate for the workplace.
Conforming to accepted standards of conduct.
It's important to dress appropriately for a job interview.
Matching or apt in a particular situation.
An appropriate response to the situation was required.
Suitable for a particular person, condition, or occasion.
The movie is not appropriate for young children.
To take something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission.
The company appropriated funds for its own purposes.
To adopt or use, especially in a way that is considered proper or legal.
The artist appropriated cultural symbols in her artwork.
Right or proper time.
It was appropriate to celebrate after the victory.
To set aside for a particular purpose, especially funds.
The government appropriated millions for disaster relief.
Suitable for a particular person, condition, occasion, or place; fitting.
To set apart for a specific use
Appropriating funds for education.
To take possession of or make use of exclusively for oneself, often without permission
My coworker appropriated my unread newspaper.
Suitable or fit; proper.
The headmaster wondered what an appropriate measure would be to make the pupil behave better.
Suitable to the social situation or to social respect or social discreetness; socially correct; socially discreet; well-mannered; proper.
I don't think it was appropriate for the cashier to tell me out loud in front of all those people at the check-out that my hair-piece looked like it was falling out of place.
While it is not considered appropriate for a professor to date his student, there is no such concern once the semester has ended.
(obsolete) Set apart for a particular use or person; reserved.
(transitive) To take to oneself; to claim or use, especially as by an exclusive right.
Let no man appropriate the use of a common benefit.
(transitive) To set apart for, or assign to, a particular person or use, especially in exclusion of all others; with to or for.
A spot of ground is appropriated for a garden.
To appropriate money for the increase of the navy
To annex (for example a benefice, to a spiritual corporation, as its property).
To make suitable to; to suit.
Set apart for a particular use or person. Hence: Belonging peculiarly; peculiar; suitable; fit; proper.
In its strict and appropriate meaning.
Appropriate acts of divine worship.
It is not at all times easy to find words appropriate to express our ideas.
To take to one's self in exclusion of others; to claim or use as by an exclusive right; as, let no man appropriate the use of a common benefit.
To set apart for, or assign to, a particular person or use, in exclusion of all others; - with to or for; as, a spot of ground is appropriated for a garden; to appropriate money for the increase of the navy.
To make suitable; to suit.
To annex, as a benefice, to a spiritual corporation, as its property.
A property; attribute.
Give or assign a share of money or time to a particular person or cause;
I will earmark this money for your research
Take possession of by force, as after an invasion;
The invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants
The army seized the town
The militia captured the castle
Suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc;
A book not appropriate for children
A funeral conducted the appropriate solemnity
It seems that an apology is appropriate
Appropriate for achieving a particular end; implies a lack of concern for fairness
Meant or adapted for an occasion or use;
A tractor suitable (or fit) for heavy duty
Not an appropriate (or fit) time for flippancy
Suitable and fitting;
The tailored clothes were harmonious with her military bearing
Being of striking appropriateness and pertinence;
The successful copywriter is a master of apposite and evocative verbal images
An apt reply
To allocate or designate for a specific purpose.
Funds were appropriated for the new school project.
Properly adapted to the needs, aims, or goals.
The teaching methods were appropriate to the students' learning styles.
Appropriate Snonyms
Suitable
Right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.
The film is suitable for all ages.
Pertinent
Relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite.
She asked me a lot of very pertinent questions.
Proper
Truly what something is said or regarded to be; suitable or appropriate.
It's only proper to thank your host.
Fitting
Well-suited or appropriate in the circumstances.
A fitting tribute to the hero's bravery.
Applicable
Relevant or appropriate in a given situation.
The rules are not applicable to every case.
Fit
Of a suitable quality, standard, or type to meet the required purpose.
Is this film fit for children?
Right
Most appropriate, advantageous, or well advised.
It's the right decision for the team.
Relevant
Closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered.
Your comments are not relevant to our discussion.
Apt
Appropriate or suitable in the circumstances.
An apt description of her nature.
Appropriate Idioms & Phrases
Find the appropriate words
To select the right or most fitting words to express something.
He struggled to find the appropriate words to convey his condolences.
Take appropriate measures
To implement actions that are suitable and necessary under the circumstances.
The authorities took appropriate measures to ensure public safety during the storm.
Seek appropriate advice
To look for guidance or recommendations that are relevant and suitable to one's situation.
Before making any major decisions, it's wise to seek appropriate advice from experts.
Dress appropriate to the occasion
To wear clothing that is suitable for a specific event or situation.
Guests were advised to dress appropriate to the occasion, which called for formal attire.
Allocate resources appropriately
To distribute or assign resources in a manner that is fitting for the intended purposes.
The project manager aimed to allocate resources appropriately to meet all deadlines.
Use appropriate language
To employ words or expressions that are suitable for the context, audience, or setting.
Please ensure you use appropriate language when writing the report.
Apply appropriate pressure
To exert a level of force or influence that is suitable for achieving a desired outcome.
The negotiator knew how to apply appropriate pressure to reach an agreement.
Respond in an appropriate manner
To react or reply in a way that is fitting or proper for the situation.
The teacher expected the students to respond in an appropriate manner to her questions.
Exercise appropriate caution
To practice a level of care or wariness that is fitting for the potential risks involved.
While exploring the unknown area, they were advised to exercise appropriate caution.
Select the appropriate option
To choose an alternative or course of action that is most fitting or suitable.
Users must select the appropriate option from the menu to proceed with the software installation.
Set an appropriate example
To serve as a model or standard that is proper and fitting for others to follow.
As a leader, he always tried to set an appropriate example for his team.
Ensure appropriate timing
To guarantee that the timing of an action or event is suitable or opportune.
The coordinator worked hard to ensure appropriate timing for each speaker's presentation.
Give appropriate recognition
To provide acknowledgment or praise that is fitting for someone's efforts or achievements.
The organization aimed to give appropriate recognition to its outstanding volunteers.
Maintain appropriate distance
To keep a space or separation that is suitable or required under the circumstances.
In the gallery, visitors were reminded to maintain appropriate distance from the artwork.
Offer appropriate support
To provide help or assistance that is fitting and relevant to someone's needs.
The program offers appropriate support to students struggling with their coursework.
Adopt appropriate strategies
To choose and implement plans or methods that are suitable for achieving specific goals.
To improve sales, the company decided to adopt appropriate strategies tailored to each market.
Display appropriate behavior
To exhibit conduct or actions that are proper and fitting for the setting or context.
During the ceremony, all participants were expected to display appropriate behavior.
Determine the appropriate level
To ascertain the degree or extent of something that is fitting for a particular purpose.
It's crucial to determine the appropriate level of investment for the project's success.
Appropriate Example Sentences
The teacher selected books that were appropriate for her students' age.
It's important to wear attire that is appropriate to the occasion.
He questioned whether the joke was appropriate under the circumstances.
She found an appropriate gift for her friend's wedding.
Parents must ensure games are appropriate for their children's age.
The committee will decide how to appropriate the budget surplus.
The council appropriated additional funds for the library renovation.
The music chosen for the ceremony was perfectly appropriate.
Please use language that is appropriate for all audiences.
The management appropriated office space for the new department.
The article was written in an appropriate tone for the subject matter.
They discussed the appropriate time to hold the meeting.
It was appropriate to apologize after the misunderstanding.
The school deemed the film appropriate for educational purposes.
The guidelines help determine what is appropriate to wear to school.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called appropriate?
It's called "appropriate" because it comes from the Latin "appropriatus," meaning to make one's own, fitting, or suitable.
What is a stressed syllable in appropriate?
The stress is on the third syllable: "pri."
What is the root word of appropriate?
The root word is "proprius," meaning one's own or fitting in Latin.
What is the first form of appropriate?
The first form (infinitive) is "to appropriate" when used as a verb.
How many syllables are in appropriate?
There are four syllables in "appropriate."
How do we divide appropriate into syllables?
"Appropriate" is divided into syllables as "ap-pro-pri-ate."
What is the singular form of appropriate?
"Appropriate" remains the same in both singular and plural contexts; it does not change form.
How is appropriate used in a sentence?
As an adjective: "He chose an appropriate time to discuss the issue." As a verb: "The committee will appropriate funds for the project."
What is the third form of appropriate?
The third form (past participle) is "appropriated."
What is the verb form of appropriate?
"Appropriate" itself is a verb when it means to set aside or allocate resources.
What is the pronunciation of appropriate?
As an adjective: /əˈproʊpriət/. As a verb: /əˈproʊpriˌeɪt/.
Is appropriate a noun or adjective?
"Appropriate" is primarily an adjective or a verb, not a noun.
What part of speech is appropriate?
"Appropriate" can be an adjective (suitable) or a verb (to allocate).
What is the plural form of appropriate?
"Appropriate" does not have a plural form.
Which determiner is used with appropriate?
Determiners like "the," "an," or "this" can be used with "appropriate" when it functions as an adjective.
What is another term for appropriate?
Another term for "appropriate" could be "suitable" (as an adjective) or "allocate" (as a verb).
Is appropriate an abstract noun?
"Appropriate" is not a noun; it is an adjective and a verb.
Is the appropriate term a metaphor?
"Appropriate" can be used metaphorically, especially in contexts implying suitability or fittingness in a non-literal sense.
Is the word appropriate imperative?
As a verb, "appropriate" can be used in the imperative form, e.g., "Please appropriate the necessary funds."
Is the word “appropriate” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Appropriate" can be used as a verb where it might act upon a direct object (the thing being allocated).
Which vowel is used before appropriate?
The use of a vowel before "appropriate" depends on the context of the sentence.
What is the second form of appropriate?
The second form (simple past) is "appropriated."
Is appropriate a negative or positive word?
"Appropriate" is generally positive, indicating suitability or proper allocation.
Is appropriate a vowel or consonant?
The word "appropriate" starts with a vowel.
Is appropriate a countable noun?
"Appropriate" is not a noun; it's an adjective and a verb.
Which conjunction is used with appropriate?
Conjunctions like "and," "but," or "or" can be used with "appropriate" depending on the sentence structure.
Is appropriate an adverb?
No, "appropriate" is not an adverb.
Which preposition is used with appropriate?
Common prepositions used with "appropriate" include "for" (as an adjective) and "to" (as a verb).
Which article is used with appropriate?
Articles such as "the," "a," or "an" can be used with "appropriate" when it is used as an adjective.
What is the opposite of appropriate?
The opposite can be "inappropriate" (as an adjective) or "misallocate" (as a verb).
Is appropriate a collective noun?
"Appropriate" is not a noun, so it cannot be a collective noun.
Is the word appropriate Gerund?
The gerund form of "appropriate" is "appropriating."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
