DictionaryAI

properly

adverb
PRAH-pur-lee/ˈpɹɑ.pɚ.li/UKPROP-uh-lee/ˈpɹɒp.ə.li/

4 meanings of properly

Practice

  1. 1
    correctlyadverb
    In a manner that is correct, suitable, or appropriate to the circumstances.

    The form had not been filled out properly, so the office sent it back.

    If you train the dog properly, it will respond the first time you call.

    UsageUsually after the verb and its object: fill the form out properly; things work properly or aren't working properly.

    Similarcorrectly, appropriately, suitably, right, well

    Oppositeimproperly, incorrectly, wrongly, badly

  2. 2
    exact senseadverb
    Strictly, with a word or category taken in its exact, true sense and no looser one; often in the set phrase properly speaking.

    Properly speaking, the war ended with the treaty, not with the ceasefire a year earlier.

    The koala is not properly a bear at all, though many people still call it one.

    UsageUsually properly speaking at the start, or just before the word it narrows, often with not: not properly a bear.

    Similarstrictly, technically

    Oppositeloosely

  3. 3
    completelyadverbcolloquialUK
    Completely, thoroughly, or to a great extent.

    By the time we got home we were properly soaked through.

    He got properly annoyed when he saw the state of the kitchen.

    UsageUsually before words for states and feelings: properly tired, properly soaked; before cooked or done it may mean correctly instead.

    Similarthoroughly, completely, really, totally, utterly

    Oppositeslightly, partly

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    adverbobsolete
    Individually, or in a manner of one's own.
    Note

    A trap for anyone reading older prose. Long out of use, this meaning had nothing to do with doing a thing well. It meant doing it each on one's own, or after one's own fashion. A modern eye reads the everyday "correctly" meaning into such a line. So when people in an old text acted properly, check whether it only means that each acted separately. The sense belongs to reading, not to new writing.

    Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

    • The sense meaning individually or in one's own manner is obsolete. en.wiktionary.org
    • The historical sense meant individually, separately, or in one's own fashion, rather than correctly. en.wiktionary.org

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of properly apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Formed from "proper" combined with the suffix "-ly".

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 1 fact