propriety

pronunciation

How to pronounce propriety in British English: UK [prəˈpraɪəti]word uk audio image

How to pronounce propriety in American English: US [prəˈpraɪəti] word us audio image

  • Noun:
    correct or appropriate behavior

Word Origin

propriety
propriety: see proper
propriety (n.)
mid-15c., "proper character, disposition," from Old French proprieté "individuality, peculiarity; property" (12c.), from Latin proprietatem (nominative proprietas) "appropriateness," also "ownership" (see property). Meaning "fitness, appropriateness" is attested from 1610s; sense of "conformity to good manners" is from 1782.

Example

1. Standards for propriety are higher now in europe and in some asian countries .
2. The recent series of events surrounding my travel and retirement plans have brought the issues of transparency and propriety into sharp focus .
3. But it is precisely because , at the margin , judgments of fitness and propriety are often subjective and moveable that business leaders should set their sights higher .
4. Not only are there conflicting claims as to who owns what , but a lively global debate rages over what constitutes an invention or original work , as well as the wisdom and propriety of - and need for - such protections in the first place .
5. High-minded journalism , of the sort found at the times , the new york tribune , or the associated press , disdained the traditions of the gilded age yellow newspapers and their tabloid successors in favor of fairness , professionalism , and propriety .

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