appropriate

[adj. uh-proh-pree-it; v. uh-proh-pree-eyt] /adj. əˈproʊ pri ɪt; v. əˈproʊ priˌeɪt/
adjective
1.
suitable or fitting for a particular purpose, person, occasion, etc.:
an appropriate example; an appropriate dress.
2.
belonging to or peculiar to a person; proper:
Each played his appropriate part.
verb (used with object), appropriated, appropriating.
3.
to set apart, authorize, or legislate for some specific purpose or use:
The legislature appropriated funds for the university.
4.
to take to or for oneself; take possession of.
5.
to take without permission or consent; seize; expropriate:
He appropriated the trust funds for himself.
6.
to steal, especially to commit petty theft.
Origin
1515-25; < Late Latin appropriātus made one's own (past participle of appropriāre), equivalent to Latin ap- ap-1 + propri(us) one's own + -ātus -ate1
Related forms
appropriately, adverb
appropriateness, noun
appropriative
[uh-proh-pree-ey-tiv, -uh-tiv] /əˈproʊ priˌeɪ tɪv, -ə tɪv/ (Show IPA), adjective
appropriativeness, noun
appropriator, noun
nonappropriative, adjective
quasi-appropriate, adjective
quasi-appropriately, adverb
reappropriate, verb (used with object), reappropriated, reappropriating.
well-appropriated, adjective
Can be confused
appropriate, apropos, expropriate.
Synonyms
1. befitting, apt, meet, felicitous, suited, proper, due, becoming, pertinent. 3. apportion, allocate, assign.
Antonyms
1. unsuitable, inept.
Examples from the web for appropriate
  • Research work is encouraged, and both time and facilities will be made available in appropriate cases.
  • We split the kids up by age, and we look for age-appropriate books.
  • They have, however, produced a proverb or two that would be appropriate at the current negotiating table.
  • Determine which size is appropriate for your monitor.
  • I'm the father of a 13-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl, both readers, both attuned to their age-appropriate popular culture.
  • Judges immediately appreciated his climate-appropriate design.
  • Make up your own mind about what's appropriate for your kids.
  • Expanses of sky and clouds provide a sense of airiness, appropriate for a bird-inspired tale.
  • It will be forwarded to the appropriate editor.
  • Teen series will be absorbed into the appropriate category, and two bays will be devoted to bestsellers.
British Dictionary definitions for appropriate

appropriate

adjective (əˈprəʊprɪɪt)
1.
right or suitable; fitting
2.
(rare) particular; own: they had their appropriate methods
verb (transitive) (əˈprəʊprɪˌeɪt)
3.
to take for one's own use, esp illegally or without permission
4.
to put aside (funds, etc) for a particular purpose or person
Derived Forms
appropriable, adjective
appropriately, adverb
appropriateness, noun
appropriative, adjective
appropriator, noun
Word Origin
C15: from Late Latin appropriāre to make one's own, from Latin proprius one's own; see proper
Word Origin and History for appropriate
v.

early 15c., "take possession of," from Late Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare, adpropriare (c.450) "to make one's own," from Latin ad- "to" (see ad-) + propriare "take as one's own," from proprius "one's own" (see proper). Related: Appropriated; appropriating.

adj.

"specially suitable, proper," early 15c., from Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare (see appropriate (v.)). Related: Appropriately; appropriateness.

Slang definitions & phrases for appropriate

appropriate

verb

liberate (WWI Army)