inappropriate

adjective

Sayin-uh-PROH-pree-uhtUS/ˌɪnəˈpɹoʊpɹi.ət/UK/ˌɪnəˈpɹəʊpɹi.ət/

4 meanings of inappropriate

1
adjective
Not suitable or fitting for the particular situation, time, or place.
Her remarks were inappropriate given the formal setting of the meeting.
The committee judged the joke inappropriate for a school assembly.
Similarunsuitable, improper, unfitting, unseemly, unbecoming
Oppositeappropriate, suitable, fitting, proper
2
adjectivecolloquial
A polite or indirect way of describing talk, behavior, or material that is sexual or otherwise meant only for adults.
He was fired for sending inappropriate messages to a coworker.
The site blocks inappropriate content so children cannot stumble onto it.
Similarexplicit, indecent, suggestive, improper, lewd
Oppositeappropriate, decent, clean, suitable
3
adjectivecolloquial
Of an action or thing, so vile or unpleasant as to be repulsive.
The conditions inside the abandoned house were utterly inappropriate.
She found the rotting food at the back of the fridge truly inappropriate.
Similardisgusting, revolting, vile, repulsive, gross
Oppositepleasant, nice, appealing
4
adjectivecolloquial
So vile that it goes too far; excessively disgusting.
By the third day the stench in the kitchen was simply inappropriate.
The state of the holding cell was inappropriate, far past anything humane.
Similarunbearable, intolerable, disgusting, revolting, outrageous
Oppositetolerable, bearable, acceptable

Practice

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Origin

Formed from the prefix "in-" (meaning "not") combined with "appropriate."