Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     
Lookup History
appropriate

ap·pro·pri·ate

appropriate

 
 
parts of speech:
adjective, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, verb)
part of speech: adjective
pronunciation: pro pri t
definition: fitting the practical or social requirements of the situation; seemly; suitable.
When you're doing carpentry, you'll get the best results if you use tools that are appropriate to each task.Jeans and a T-shirt are not appropriate for a formal wedding.It was difficult choosing appropriate music for the funeral.Please read the employee manual for its discussion of appropriate office behavior.
See a movie for this meaning
 
synonyms:
apposite, apropos, apt, befitting, due, felicitous, fit, fitting, meet, proper, seemly, suitable, suited
antonyms:
improper, inappropriate, unbecoming, unfitting, unsuitable, wrong
similar words:
amenable, applicable, comely, convenient, decent, decorous, done, expedient, germane, happy, legitimate, likely, opportune, pertinent, possible, relevant, right, seasonable, timely, to the point
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: transitive verb
pronunciation: pro pri eIt
inflections: appropriates, appropriating, appropriated
definition 1: to identify or set aside for a particular purpose.
The town appropriated funds for the building of the new library.
synonyms:
allocate, assign, dedicate, earmark
similar words:
allot, appoint, apportion
definition 2: to take for one's own, often without permission.
The army appropriated farm animals to feed the soldiers.The Europeans appropriated the natives' lands.
synonyms:
defalcate, expropriate, lift, misappropriate, peculate, pocket, take, usurp
similar words:
adopt, arrogate, borrow, claim, commandeer, confiscate, cop, embezzle, grab, impound, liberate, palm, plagiarize, purloin, rip off, rob, seize, steal, swipe, thieve
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: appropriately (adv.), appropriateness (n.)