Propriety
noun /prəˈpraɪ.ə.ti/ — Conformity to what is socially appropriate and correct
Definition
The quality of behaving according to the conventions of what is right and proper — not just politely, but in a way that feels fitting to the occasion.
Beyond the definition
The sense that things are being done correctly — neither too much nor too little. The quiet satisfaction of behaviour that is exactly right.
Origin & history
From Latin 'proprietas' (property, nature, quality), from 'proprius' (one's own). What belongs to a thing — including what belongs to a person's conduct.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She observed the proprieties of the occasion without seeming stiff or performative.
There is a difference between propriety and formality: propriety is about fitness, not form.
He questioned whether propriety required silence on matters where honesty would serve better.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Propriety” when the meaning fits your context: The quality of behaving according to the conventions of what is right and proper — not just politely, but in a way that feels fitting to the occasion.
Synonyms
Antonyms
impropriety, indecorum, vulgarity, unseemliness
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Propriety" mean?
Propriety is noun meaning: Conformity to what is socially appropriate and correct. The quality of behaving according to the conventions of what is right and proper — not just politely, but in a way that feels fitting to the occasion.
Where does the word "Propriety" come from?
From Latin 'proprietas' (property, nature, quality), from 'proprius' (one's own). What belongs to a thing — including what belongs to a person's conduct.