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

Obtaining the appropriate visa is just a fraction of the cost of an international move.

From Salon

But his nomination has alarmed many public health and medical officials who say they are worried that the solutions Kennedy might deem appropriate could undermine Americans’ health in the long run.

From Los Angeles Times

"As a result of their unique structures, MOFs have a high density of sites where you can capture and release CO2 under the appropriate conditions," Carsch said.

From Science Daily

He could simply order that his appointees be granted the appropriate clearances.

From Salon

Richard M. Nixon, another president often accused of abusing his power, often got around that issue by withholding — or “impounding” — money appropriated by Congress.

From New York Times

Related Words

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