appropriate

[ adjective uh-proh-pree-it; verb uh-proh-pree-eyt ]

adjective

1. suitable or fitting for a particular purpose, person, occasion, etc.:

   an appropriate example;

   an appropriate dress.

   Synonyms: meet, pertinent, becoming, due, proper, suited, felicitous, apt, befitting

   Antonyms: inept, inappropriate, unsuitable

2. belonging to or peculiar to a person; proper:

   Each played his appropriate part.

verb (used with object)

, ap·pro·pri·at·ed, ap·pro·pri·at·ing.

1. to set apart, authorize, or legislate for some specific purpose or use:

   The legislature appropriated funds for the university.

   Synonyms: assign, allocate, apportion

2. to take to or for oneself; take possession of.
3. to take without permission or consent; seize; expropriate:

   He appropriated the trust funds for himself.

4. to steal, especially to commit petty theft.

appropriate

adjective

1. right or suitable; fitting
2. rare.
   particular; own

   they had their appropriate methods

verb

1. to take for one's own use, esp illegally or without permission
2. to put aside (funds, etc) for a particular purpose or person

Derived Forms

• apˈpropriateness, noun
• apˈpropriable, adjective
• apˈpropriative, adjective
• apˈpropriately, adverb
• apˈpropriˌator, noun

Other Words From

• ap·pro·pri·ate·ly adverb
• ap·pro·pri·ate·ness noun
• ap·pro·pri·a·tive [uh, -, proh, -pree-ey-tiv, -, uh, -tiv], adjective
• ap·pro·pri·a·tive·ness noun
• ap·pro·pri·a·tor noun
• non·ap·pro·pri·a·tive adjective
• qua·si-ap·pro·pri·ate adjective
• re·ap·pro·pri·ate verb (used with object) reappropriated reappropriating
• well-ap·pro·pri·at·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of appropriate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of appropriate¹

C15: from Late Latin appropriāre to make one's own, from Latin proprius one's own; see proper

Example Sentences

Professor of anatomy Tom Gillingwater said: "We want to do the right thing by Isabella and Mary and, if appropriate, return them to their families so they can be laid to rest."

From BBC

Russia says the use of US long-range missiles by Ukraine will lead to "an appropriate and tangible" response.

From BBC

Congress has granted presidents broad power to declare national emergencies at their discretion, unlocking standby powers that include redirecting funds lawmakers had appropriated for other purposes.

From New York Times

Testosterone levels must be "within natal female range... for an appropriate length of time so as to minimise any potential advantage", and hormone treatment must be verified annually.

From BBC

He plans to revive the practice of “impounding” funds — blocking agencies from spending money that Congress has appropriated for programs he doesn’t like.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• applicable
• apt
• convenient
• correct
• fitting
• good
• opportune
• pertinent
• proper
• relevant
• true
• useful