proper Definition

proper
adj

1. Real; genuine; able to be correctly described as (a specified thing).
2. Right; correct.
3. Appropriate.

Example: at the proper time
Thesaurus: suitable, appropriate, apt, decorous, seemly, right, fit, fitting, becoming, befitting, ; Antonym: unconventional, irregular.
4. Own; particular; correct.

Example: in its proper place
Thesaurus: personal, own, individual, special, respective; Antonym: common.
5. Socially accepted; respectable.
6. derog
Morally strict; prim.
Thesaurus: formal, sedate, prudish, prim, prissy, polite, mannerly, punctilious, particular, refined.
7. Belonging or appropriate to it; suitable.

Example: the form of address proper to her rank
Form: proper to something (usually)
8. Used immediately after a noun: strictly so called; itself, excluding others not immediately connected with it.

Example: We are now entering the city proper
9. colloq
Utter; complete; out-and-out.
Example: a proper idiot

adverb

1. non-standard
Correctly.
Example: can't even speak proper

Etymology: 13c: from French propre, from Latin proprius own or special.