properly
adverb
prop·er·ly
ˈprä-pər-lē 
: in a proper manner:
a
: in an acceptable or suitable way
behaving properly
trying to get the system to work properly
"Oh yes, I am not at all ashamed of it. I would have everybody marry if they can do it properly."—
Jane Austen
Jane Austen
b
: in an accurate or correct way
It might more properly be termed a musical device than a musical form.—Aaron Copland
Aaron CoplandScoop out the seeds (properly called arils, a botanical term that includes the tiny actual seeds and the juicy, edible pulp around them).—David Karp
David KarpExamples of properly in a Sentence
the scouts were properly dressed for a week of camping
Recent Examples on the Web
But division one has to properly fund division two.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s attempt to end DACA was not done properly.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Bugs—or, more properly, insects—are technically a form of crustacean.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Consider raised beds if preparing the soil properly isn't possible.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for properly
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s attempt to end DACA was not done properly.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Bugs—or, more properly, insects—are technically a form of crustacean.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Consider raised beds if preparing the soil properly isn't possible.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for properly
Cite this Entry
“Properly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/properly. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share