Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

improper

/ɪmˈpɹɔp.ə/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.58 in modern English

Syllables: im-prop-er
IPA: /ɪmˈpɹɔp.ə/

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Unsuitable to needs or circumstances; inappropriate; inapt.

adj

Not in keeping with conventional mores or good manners; indecent or immodest.

adj

Not according to facts; inaccurate or erroneous.

adj

Not consistent with established facts; incorrect.

adj

Not properly named; See, for example, improper fraction.

adj

Not specific or appropriate to individuals; general; common.

Obsolete

adj

Of a complex random variable, correlated with its conjugate.

verb

To appropriate; to assign (something, to someone) as a possession or prerogative.

Obsolete; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"improper conduct"
"Not to be adorned with any art but such improper ones as nature is said to bestow, as singing and poetry."
"He would in like manner improper and inclose the sunbeams to comfort the rich and not the poor."
"For quotations using this term, see Citations:improper."

Etymology

From Middle French impropre, from Latin improprius (“not proper”), from in- + proprius (“proper”). By surface analysis, im- + proper.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: empropren

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ɪmˈpɹɔp.ə/
British English: /ɪmˈpɹɒp.ə/

Usage

Inflected Forms

more improper (comparative) most improper (superlative) impropre (alternative, obsolete) impropers (present, singular) impropering (participle, present) impropered (participle, past) impropered (past)

Derived Forms

improperness

Phrases

improper divisor improper face improper fit improper fraction improper integral improper motion improper node improper noun

Synonyms

unproper wrong unconventional unlawful

Rhymes With

proper copper hopper chopper shopper topper stopper popper whopper dropper cropper bopper

Questions

How do you pronounce improper?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɪmˈpɹɔp.ə/.
What does improper mean?: Unsuitable to needs or circumstances; inappropriate; inapt.
Where does improper come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce improper

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “improper”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ɪmˈpɹɔp.ə/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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