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
The laser knows if Ryan did not properly attach a line and a red light shows Ryan there's a problem and the tool used to finish the brake system will not work to complete the job until Ryan fixes the issue.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
The teacher's response — prompting them for the definition — empowers the student to answer the question properly.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
Dobson and Wilder Clark said the zoning change was properly noticed, and the public was given sufficient opportunity to speak at nine different meetings.
—Shonda Novak, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
If left unchecked, Netanyahu may soon succeed in forcing a mass displacement of Palestinians, preventing Trump from properly recalibrating the United States’ Middle East policy and from reducing the U.S. military footprint in the region.
—Zaha Hassan, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for properly
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Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
The teacher's response — prompting them for the definition — empowers the student to answer the question properly.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
Dobson and Wilder Clark said the zoning change was properly noticed, and the public was given sufficient opportunity to speak at nine different meetings.
—Shonda Novak, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
If left unchecked, Netanyahu may soon succeed in forcing a mass displacement of Palestinians, preventing Trump from properly recalibrating the United States’ Middle East policy and from reducing the U.S. military footprint in the region.
—Zaha Hassan, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 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 2 Aug. 2025.
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