appropriate
Americanadjective
-
suitable or fitting for a particular purpose, person, occasion, etc..
an appropriate example;
an appropriate dress.
- Antonyms:
- inept, inappropriate, unsuitable
-
belonging to or peculiar to a person; proper.
Each played his appropriate part.
verb (used with object)
-
to set apart, authorize, or legislate for some specific purpose or use.
The legislature appropriated funds for the university.
-
to take to or for oneself; take possession of.
-
to take without permission or consent; seize; expropriate.
He appropriated the trust funds for himself.
-
to steal, especially to commit petty theft.
adjective
-
right or suitable; fitting
-
rare particular; own
they had their appropriate methods
verb
-
to take for one's own use, esp illegally or without permission
-
to put aside (funds, etc) for a particular purpose or person
Other Word Forms
- appropriable adjective
- appropriately adverb
- appropriateness noun
- appropriative adjective
- appropriativeness noun
- appropriator noun
- nonappropriative adjective
- quasi-appropriate adjective
- reappropriate verb (used with object)
- well-appropriated adjective
Etymology
Origin of appropriate
First recorded in 1515–25; from Late Latin appropriātus “made one's own” (past participle of appropriāre ), equivalent to Latin ap- ap- 1 + propri(us) “one's own, special, particular” + -ātus -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We will continue to take appropriate action to protect patient safety if a pharmacy is not meeting our standards."
From BBC
But they could not deal with serious crime involving custody because they were often in conference centres or hotels with no cells or appropriate security.
From BBC
Finally, it accused the FCA, as the regulator, of failing to provide an appropriate degree of protection for consumers.
From BBC
"As with all disposal types, it is occasionally appropriate that decisions can be reviewed, and where necessary rescinded."
From BBC
“I look forward to the Office of Inspector General’s thorough review of this matter and will continue to urge that these critical, congressionally appropriated grants are reinstated.”
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
