English edit

Etymology edit

proper +‎ -ly

Pronunciation edit

Adverb edit

properly (comparative more properly, superlative most properly)

  1. in a proper manner, appropriately, suitably; correctly, justifiably
    • 2011 December 16, Denis Campbell, “Hospital staff 'lack skills to cope with dementia patients'”, in 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 edit

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Middle English edit

Adverb edit

properly

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