properly

Universal Words adverb 1 (especially BrE) in a way that is correct and/or appropriate: How much money do we need to do the job properly? * The television isn't working properly. * Make sure the letter is properly addressed. 2 in a way that is socially or morally acceptable: You acted perfectly properly in approaching me first. * When will these kids learn to behave properly? OPPIMPROPERLY 3 really; in fact: He had usurped powers that properly belonged to parliament. * The subject is not, properly speaking (= really), a science.