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
Fluffing is also essential for keeping the down fill properly distributed for maximum warmth and comfort.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 30 May 2025
My mentor showed me how to properly glide and all of that stuff.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 30 May 2025
The problem is, it was never reinstated, or not properly.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 29 May 2025
While 1 in 100 people worldwide have celiac, only about 30% are properly diagnosed.
—Alex Backus, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for properly
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Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 30 May 2025
My mentor showed me how to properly glide and all of that stuff.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 30 May 2025
The problem is, it was never reinstated, or not properly.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 29 May 2025
While 1 in 100 people worldwide have celiac, only about 30% are properly diagnosed.
—Alex Backus, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 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 3 Jun. 2025.
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