appropriate

[uh-proh-pree-it, uh-proh-pree-eyt]

adjective

1. suitable or fitting for a particular purpose, person, occasion, etc..

   an appropriate example;

   an appropriate dress.

   Synonyms: meet, pertinent, becoming, due, proper, suited, felicitous, apt, befitting
   Antonyms: inept, inappropriate, unsuitable

2. belonging to or peculiar to a person; proper.

   Each played his appropriate part.

verb (used with object)

appropriated, appropriating 

1. to set apart, authorize, or legislate for some specific purpose or use.

   The legislature appropriated funds for the university.

   Synonyms: assign, allocate, apportion

2. to take to or for oneself; take possession of.

3. to take without permission or consent; seize; expropriate.

   He appropriated the trust funds for himself.

4. to steal, especially to commit petty theft.

appropriate

adjective

1. right or suitable; fitting

2. rare,  particular; own

   they had their appropriate methods

verb

1. to take for one's own use, esp illegally or without permission

2. to put aside (funds, etc) for a particular purpose or person

Other Word Forms

• appropriateness noun
• appropriable adjective
• appropriative adjective
• appropriately adverb
• appropriator noun
• appropriativeness noun
• nonappropriative adjective
• quasi-appropriate adjective
• reappropriate verb (used with object)
• well-appropriated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of appropriate¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Late Latin appropriātus “made one's own” (past participle of appropriāre ), equivalent to Latin ap- ap- ¹ + propri(us) “one's own, special, particular” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of appropriate¹

C15: from Late Latin appropriāre to make one's own, from Latin proprius one's own; see _proper

Example Sentences

The idea that the crew has found him again just seemed appropriate.

From Los Angeles Times

Jeff Monford, a spokesman for Southern California Edison, told The Times the company is reviewing the lawsuits “and will respond through the appropriate channels.”

From Los Angeles Times

These matters are being addressed through the appropriate channels, and it would be inappropriate to litigate them in the press.

From BBC

The Accounts Commission report said there had been a lack of appropriate scrutiny, transparency and accountability in the process, and that possible conflicts of interest should have been obvious to the senior officers.

From BBC

In 2018, the Wall Street Journal published a report that said co-workers described him as harsh, demanding and prone to crossing the boundaries of appropriate workplace behavior with explicit language and behavior.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• applicable 
• apt 
• convenient 
• correct 
• fitting 
• good 
• opportune 
• pertinent 
• proper 
• relevant 
• true 
• useful