appropriate

appropriate

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Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling

• Adjective: /əˈproʊpriət/ (General American), /əˈprəʊprɪət/ (Received Pronunciation)

• a - /ə/ (schwa, unstressed)

• ppro - /ˈproʊ/ or /ˈprəʊ/ (as in "grow," primary stress)

• pri - /pri/ (as in "pre")

• ate - /ət/ (schwa + 't', unstressed)

• Verb: /əˈproʊpriˌeɪt/ (General American), /əˈprəʊprɪˌeɪt/ (Received Pronunciation)

• a - /ə/ (schwa, unstressed)

• ppro - /ˈproʊ/ or /ˈprəʊ/ (primary stress)

• pri - /pri/ (as in "pre")

• ate - /ˌeɪt/ (as in "ate," secondary stress)

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Word Form Variations

Appropriate" can function as both an adjective and a verb.

• Adjective:

• Base form: appropriate

• Comparative: more appropriate

• Superlative: most appropriate

• Verb:

• Base form: appropriate

• Third person singular present: appropriates

• Present participle: appropriating

• Past tense: appropriated

• Past participle: appropriated

• Related forms (but not direct variations of "appropriate" itself):

• Noun: appropriation

• Adverb: appropriately

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Adjective

1. Suitable or proper in the circumstances; fitting.

• Example: "Wearing a swimsuit to a formal dinner is not appropriate."

• Synonyms: suitable, proper, fitting, apt, fitting, relevant, convenient

• Antonyms: inappropriate, unsuitable, improper, unfitting, irrelevant, out of place

2. Especially chosen or designated for a particular purpose.

• Example: "The funds were set aside for the appropriate use."

• Synonyms: suitable, relevant, applicable, proper

• Antonyms: unsuitable, irrelevant, unassigned

Verb

1. To take (something) for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission.

• Example: "The government appropriated the land for a new highway without compensating the residents."

• Synonyms: seize, commandeer, expropriate, take over, confiscate, usurp

• Antonyms: return, give back, relinquish, surrender, release

2. To set aside (money or assets) for a specific purpose or use.

• Example: "Congress voted to appropriate funds for disaster relief."

• Synonyms: allocate, assign, earmark, designate, set aside, allot

• Antonyms: deallocate, disburse (without specific purpose), reallocate (to another purpose)

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "He did not know what was an appropriate way to begin such a delicate conversation, so he remained silent." (Fictitious example, to illustrate a common literary use of determining suitability.)

• Newspapers:

• "The city council voted to appropriate an additional $5 million for the emergency housing fund, responding to the growing crisis." (The New York Times)

• Online Publications:

• "Before posting content online, consider if it's appropriate for all audiences, especially children." (Common advice on digital citizenship blogs, e.g., Common Sense Media, frequently updated)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• "Is that an appropriate response to your superior, soldier?" (Dialogue from a military drama film, e.g., A Few Good Men, 1992)

• "You need to appropriate your character's voice to truly nail this performance." (Acting coach on a YouTube tutorial)

• "The government has no right to appropriate private land without fair compensation." (Dialogue in a political video game, Civilization VI, 2016-present)

• General Public Discourse:

• "Wearing shorts to a wedding is not appropriate."

• "We need to appropriate funds for the school's new library."

• "That language is not appropriate for children."

• "He tried to appropriate my idea as his own."

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10 Quotes Using Appropriate

1. "Silence is an appropriate response to a fool." (Common proverb, widely attributed)

2. "Appropriate technology is that which can be understood, controlled, and adapted by its users." (E.F. Schumacher)

3. "This is not the appropriate time or place for such a discussion." (Common phrase in formal or dramatic contexts)

4. "We must take appropriate action to address this urgent matter." (Common phrase used by leaders in crisis management)

5. "It is never appropriate to compromise one's principles." (Common ethical statement)

6. "He always knows the appropriate thing to say in any situation." (Common compliment about social grace)

7. "The punishment must be appropriate to the crime." (A fundamental principle of justice, widely stated)

8. "What is truly appropriate is often what is overlooked in the rush." (A general philosophical observation)

9. "You must make an appropriate choice for your future." (Common advice given to young people)

10. "Sometimes the most appropriate response is no response at all." (Common wisdom regarding silence and reaction)

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Etymology

The word "appropriate" means something is suitable or set aside for a specific purpose. Its history traces back to a Latin word about making something one's own or fitting it.

It comes from the Latin verb "appropriāre," which meant "to make one's own," "to take for oneself," or "to adapt." This Latin verb is formed from two parts:

• "ad-": a Latin prefix meaning "to" or "at."

• "proprius": a Latin adjective meaning "one's own," "private," or "proper."

So, "appropriāre" literally meant "to make proper to oneself" or "to assign as one's own."

The word "appropriate" entered the English language from Late Latin or Old French ("approprier") in the late 14th century (around the 1300s).

The first known use and meaning of "appropriate" in English was very much in line with its Latin roots: as a verb, it meant to take possession of something, often without permission, or to set aside money or resources for a specific purpose. The meaning of the adjective (suitable or proper) developed a bit later, around the 15th century, from the idea of something being "made proper" for a situation.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Appropriate

• Appropriate for (suitable for a specific purpose or situation)

• Appropriate behavior (conduct that is considered proper or acceptable)

• Appropriate response (a reaction that is suitable or fitting)

• Deem appropriate (to consider something suitable or proper)

• More appropriate (more suitable or fitting in comparison)

• Appropriate language (words or phrases that are suitable for a particular context)

• Set aside funds (using a synonym for "appropriate" in a financial context)

• Seize an opportunity (using a synonym for "appropriate" in the sense of taking for oneself)

• Fit the bill (an idiom for being perfectly suitable)

• Well-suited for (using a synonym, indicating high suitability)

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of appropriate from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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