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
Police believe they were both properly restrained at the time of the crash.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Nursing home operators argued the state failed to properly account for the medical complexity of residents when calculating those payments, reducing reimbursement for facilities caring for some of the sickest patients.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026
One call indicated that the state might not have properly vetted an employee in its haste to operationalize the facility.
—Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
Rideshare fleets require significant maintenance infrastructure to ensure the cars are clean and running properly.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for properly
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Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Nursing home operators argued the state failed to properly account for the medical complexity of residents when calculating those payments, reducing reimbursement for facilities caring for some of the sickest patients.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026
One call indicated that the state might not have properly vetted an employee in its haste to operationalize the facility.
—Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
Rideshare fleets require significant maintenance infrastructure to ensure the cars are clean and running properly.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
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 Jun. 2026.
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