properly

English

Etymology

From proper +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈpɹɑ.pɚ.li/
    • Audio (US):(file)
  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈpɹɒp.ə.li/
  • (colloquial or dialectal) IPA(key): /ˈpɹɒp.li/
  • Rhymes: (Received Pronunciation) -ɒpəli
  • Hyphenation: prop‧er‧ly

Adverb

properly (comparative more properly, superlative most properly)

  1. In a proper manner, appropriately, suitably; correctly, justifiably
    Does she think the repairs have been properly done?
    • 1941, Virginia Woolf, suicide note:
      I know that I am spoiling your life that without me you could work. And you will I know. You see I cant[sic] even write this properly.
    • 2011 December 16, Denis Campbell, “Hospital staff 'lack skills to cope with dementia patients'”, in The Guardian[1]:
      Hospitals are failing to care properly for the growing number of people with dementia, according to an NHS-funded report, which has prompted demands for big improvements to help patients.
  2. (obsolete) individually; in one's own manner.
  3. (colloquial) Entirely; extremely; thoroughly.
    I was properly tired after that party.

Synonyms

Translations

Anagrams

Middle English

Adverb

properly

  1. properly, appropriately
  2. individually; in one's own manner