properly
/ˈpɹɑpɚli/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.64 in modern English
15
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
adv
In a proper manner, appropriately, suitably; correctly, justifiably
Example Sentences
- "Does she think the repairs have been properly done?"
- "I know that I am spoiling your life that without me you could work. And you will I know. You see I cant[sic] even write this properly."
- "Hospitals are failing to care properly for the growing number of people with dementia, according to an NHS-funded report, which has prompted demands for big improvements to help patients."
- "I was properly tired after that party."
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *per-der.? Proto-Indo-European *per-der.? Proto-Indo-European *pér Proto-Indo-European *-o Proto-Indo-European *pró Proto-Indo-European *pro- Proto-Italic *pro- Proto-Indo-European *preyH- Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Indo-European *priHós Proto-Italic *prijos Proto-Italic *proprijos Latin propriusbor. Anglo-Norman proprebor. Middle English propre English proper Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English properly From proper + -ly.
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈpɹɑpɚli/
- British English: /ˈpɹɒpəli/
Usage
Inflected Forms
more properly (comparative)
most properly (superlative)