improper

improper
—improperly, adv. —improperness, n.
/im prop"euhr/, adj.
1. not proper; not strictly belonging, applicable, correct, etc.; erroneous: He drew improper conclusions from the scant evidence.
2. not in accordance with propriety of behavior, manners, etc.: improper conduct at a funeral.
3. unsuitable or inappropriate, as for the purpose or occasion: improper attire for a formal dance.
4. abnormal or irregular: improper functioning of the speech mechanism.
[1535-45; < L improprius. See IM-2, PROPER]
Syn. 1-3. inapplicable, unsuited, unfit. 2. indecorous. IMPROPER, INDECENT, UNBECOMING, UNSEEMLY are applied to that which is unfitting or not in accordance with propriety. IMPROPER has a wide range, being applied to whatever is not suitable or fitting, and often specifically to what does not conform to the standards of conventional morality: improper diet; improper behavior in church; improper language.
INDECENT, a strong word, is applied to what is offensively contrary to standards of propriety and esp. of modesty: indecent behavior, literature. UNBECOMING is applied to what is esp. unfitting in the person concerned: conduct unbecoming a minister. UNSEEMLY is applied to whatever is unfitting or improper under the circumstances: unseemly mirth.
Ant. 1, 3. fitting, suitable. 2. proper.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • improper — im·prop·er adj: not proper: as a: not in accord with correct procedure an improper venue b: wrongful; specif: in violation of a constitution the denial of trial by jury was held improper im·prop·er·ly adv …   Law dictionary

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  • improper — UK US /ɪmˈprɒpər/ adjective LAW ► dishonest, and not allowed by a rule or by law: »The cropland may have been polluted because of improper use of pesticides and fertilizers. » improper accounting/payments/trading »improper… …   Financial and business terms

  • improper — [im präp′ər] adj. [OFr impropre < L improprius: see IN 2 & PROPER] 1. not suitable for or consistent with the purpose or circumstances; poorly adapted; unfit 2. not in accordance with the truth, fact, or rule; wrong; incorrect 3. contrary to… …   English World dictionary

  • Improper — Im*prop er, v. t. To appropriate; to limit. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] He would in like manner improper and inclose the sunbeams to comfort the rich and not the poor. Jewel. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • improper — [adj1] not suitable abnormal, at odds, awkward, bad form, discordant, discrepant, erroneous, false, ill advised, ill timed, imprudent, inaccurate, inadmissible, inadvisable, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, incorrect,… …   New thesaurus

  • improper — (adj.) mid 15c., not true, from Fr. impropre (14c.), from L. improprius, from assimilated form of in not, opposite of (see IN (Cf. in ) (1)) + proprius (see PROPER (Cf. proper)). Meaning not suited, unfit is from 1560s; that of not in accordance… …   Etymology dictionary

  • improper — 1 inappropriate, unfitting, unsuitable, *unfit, inapt, unhappy, infelicitous Analogous words: wrong, *bad, poor: *amiss, astray: incongruous, inconsonant Antonyms: proper Contrasted words: right, *good: * …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • improper — ► ADJECTIVE 1) not conforming with accepted standards of behaviour. 2) unseemly or indecent. DERIVATIVES improperly adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • Improper — ;In mathematics *Improper rotation *Improper integral *Improper fraction *Improper prior *Improper distribution *Improper point *Improper limits;Other *Improper English *Improper motion *Improper nounee also* Proper …   Wikipedia

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