proper

Universal Words adjective 1 [onlybeforenoun] (especially BrE) right, appropriate or correct; according to the rules: We should have had a proper discussion before voting. * Please follow the proper procedures for dealing with complaints. * Nothing is in its proper place. 2 [onlybeforenoun] (BrE, spoken) that you consider to be real and satisfactory: Eat some proper food, not just toast and jam! * When are you going to get a proper job? 3 socially and morally acceptable: It is right and proper that parents take responsibility for their children's attendance at school. * The development was planned without proper regard to the interests of local people. * He is always perfectly proper in his behaviour. OPPIMPROPER seealsoPROPRIETY 4 [afternoun] according to the most exact meaning of the word: The celebrations proper always begin on the last stroke of midnight. 5 [onlybeforenoun] (BrE, spoken) complete: We're in a proper mess now. 6 ~ to sth (formal) belonging to a particular type of thing; natural in a particular situation or place: They should be treated with the dignity proper to all individuals created by God. IDIOMS good and proper (BrE, spoken) completely; thoroughly: That's messed things up good and proper.