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

In response to Auty’s claims, Sodexo, the private company that runs the prison, told the BBC it cannot comment on individual cases, but “where complaints are received about any employee, we undertake all appropriate investigations and take necessary actions as needed”.

From BBC

The Bishop of Winchester, Philip Mountstephen, told BBC's Newsnight failures in safeguarding should be investigated and "appropriate and proportionate action should be taken with anyone who has failed in safeguarding terms".

From BBC

It was an appropriate title, given the fact that the musicians he chose to work with were often three and four decades younger.

From Los Angeles Times

"It is crucial that autistic adults are allowed to have the same opportunities to live an independent life as the rest of society, and that means there must be supports in place for them to live within appropriate housing too."

From BBC

NHS England said it had issued "updated guidance on the appropriate deployment of medical associates" and would provide increased clarity about their roles.

From BBC

Related Words

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