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Definition of appropriate

appropriate

/əˈproʊpriət/
ap · pro · pri · ate
Adverb:appropriately
•
Past Simple:appropriated
•
Past Participle:appropriated
•
Present Participle:appropriating
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appropriate Lexical Profile

appropriate Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Suitable, fitting, or proper for a particular person, condition, occasion, or place.

Example

"Please wear formal attire that is appropriate for the awards ceremony."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

To take something, such as property, ideas, or cultural elements, for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission.

Example

"The author was accused of trying to appropriate the work of an earlier historian."

2

To set apart or authorize a specific sum of money or resources for a particular official purpose.

Example

"The legislature voted to appropriate additional funds for public school renovations."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

The adjective and verb are heteronyms: the adjective ends with a reduced vowel sound (/ə-PROH-pree-it/), whereas the verb ends with a long vowel sound (/ə-PROH-pree-ayt/).

• Rhymes for appropriate

• Nearby Words

approachability
approachable
approbation
appropriate
appropriately
appropriateness
appropriator

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the 15th century from Late Latin appropriatus, the past participle of appropriare ('to make one's own'), formed from ad- ('to') and proprius ('one's own, proper').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Appropriate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/appropriate
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