propriety

[pruh-prahy-i-tee]

noun

plural

proprieties 

1. conformity to established standards of good or proper behavior or manners.

   Synonyms: modesty, decency

2. appropriateness to the purpose or circumstances; suitability.

   Synonyms: seemliness, fitness, aptness

3. rightness or justness.

   Synonyms: correctness

4. the proprieties, the conventional standards of proper behavior; manners.

   to observe the proprieties.

5. Obsolete.,  a property.

6. Obsolete.,  a peculiarity or characteristic of something.

propriety

/ prəˈpraɪətɪ /

noun

1. the quality or state of being appropriate or fitting

2. conformity to the prevailing standard of behaviour, speech, etc

3. (plural) the standards of behaviour considered correct by polite society

Other Word Forms

• nonpropriety noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of propriety¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English propriete “ownership, something owned, one's own nature” (compare variant proprete property ), from Middle French propriété, from Latin proprietāt-, stem of proprietās “peculiarity, ownership,” equivalent to propri(us) proper + -etās, variant, after vowels, of -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of propriety¹

C15: from Old French propriété, from Latin proprietās a peculiarity, from proprius one's own

Synonym Study

See etiquette.

Example Sentences

Reform MP James McMurdock has lost the whip over allegations against him related to business propriety, the party says.

From BBC

There are hard lines of propriety between Fox and the rest of the world, and despite — or perhaps because of — that, Oates makes plain that seduction, narrative and instruction each entail the exercise of power.

From Los Angeles Times

"Roblox is confident in its position and the propriety of its dealings in this matter and looks forward to responding in court."

From BBC

The other side of the detective’s profile has him strolling between the starched propriety of upper-class society and the sooty underbelly, doing rich men’s dirty work.

From Salon

The House of Lords Appointments Commission vets potential peers to "ensure the highest standards of propriety".

From BBC

Related Words

• correctness 
• decorum 
• legitimacy 
• morality 
• rectitude 
• respectability 
• suitability