DictionaryAI

appropriate

Sayuh-PROH-pree-uht/əˈpɹoʊ.pɹi.ət/UK/əˈpɹəʊ.pɹi.ət/
As a verbuh-PROH-pree-ayt

Verbappropriates, appropriating, appropriated

7 meanings of appropriate

Practice

  1. 1
    fit for purposeadjective
    Right or correct for a certain situation or purpose.

    Wear clothes that are appropriate for the cold weather.

    We need to find an appropriate place to store all these boxes.

    UsageSay appropriate for something: appropriate for cold weather. The opposite is inappropriate.

    Similarsuitable, fitting, apt

    Oppositeinappropriate, unsuitable, unfitting

    Note
  2. 2
    socially properadjective
    Right and proper for the situation, in a way people think is polite, decent, or good.

    Like knowing to whisper, not yell, when others are sleeping.

    It is not appropriate to shout in a quiet library.

    She always knows the appropriate thing to say at a funeral.

    UsageWe say it is not appropriate to shout. Not appropriate is a polite way to say something is wrong.

    Similarproper, right

    Oppositeimproper

  3. 3
    take for yourselfverbtransitive
    To take something for yourself, often as if you alone have the right to it.

    Like grabbing the best seat and calling it yours.

    The company tried to appropriate the design as its own.

    He appropriated the empty desk and filled it with his books.

    UsageOften a negative word: it means taking something that is not really yours.

    Similarseize, take, commandeer, usurp, steal

    Oppositerelinquish, surrender

    Note
  4. 4
    set asideverbtransitive
    To set something aside for a special purpose or person.

    Like setting aside part of your allowance just for snacks.

    The city voted to appropriate money for a new library.

    They appropriated part of the budget for urgent repairs.

    UsageUsed mostly for government money: appropriate money for a new library.

    Similarallocate, earmark, allot, assign, budget

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    adaptverbarchaictransitive
    To make something fit or right for a purpose.
    Note
  2. 6
    adjectiveobsolete
    Kept or set aside for one special use or person.
    Note
  3. 7
    verbBritish
    To give a church living or its income to a religious group as its own.

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 3–5

Latin appropriare, "to make one's own," was built on proprius, "one's own." The word reached English by way of Middle English.

Meanings 1–2, 6

From Middle English appropriat, meaning "appropriated," which came from a Latin word meaning "made one's own." It has the same origin as the verb.