Meaning of “properly” in the English Dictionary

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"properly" in English

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properlyadverb

uk ​ /ˈprɒp.əl.i/ us ​ /ˈprɑː.pɚ.li/

properly adverb (CORRECTLY)

› correctly, or in a satisfactory way:

It's still not working properly.
I'm not properly dressed for this kind of weather.
I think you should take it somewhere to have it repaired properly.
Come on, Evie, speak properly - you're not a baby any more!

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

properly speaking

(Definition of “properly” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"properly" in American English

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properlyadverb

us ​ /ˈprɑp·ər·li/

properly adverb (SUITABLY)

› in a way that is right for a particular situation; suitably:

If the plants are tended properly, they’ll thrive in this climate.

properly adverb (CORRECTLY)

› in a way that is considered to be correct; correctly:

To learn to speak a language properly, you have to live in the country where that language is spoken.

properly adverb (ACCEPTABLY)

› in a way that follows socially acceptable standards:

I expect you to behave properly at the restaurant.

(Definition of “properly” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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