Appropriate
/əˈproʊpriɪt/
adjectiveverbB2
Definition
As an adjective, "appropriate" describes something that fits well with the situation or purpose. For example, wearing a coat on a cold day is appropriate. As a verb, "appropriate" means to take or set aside something, often money or resources, for a specific use, usually by authority or law.
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See It in Action
Adjective: Suitable or right for a situation
- •It is appropriate to wear formal clothes to a wedding.
- •Please use appropriate language when speaking to customers.
- •The teacher gave appropriate advice to help students improve.
Verb: To officially take or set aside something for a specific use
- •The government appropriated funds for the new school building.
- •The company appropriated part of its budget for employee training.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "appropriate" like "right" or "good" (A1 words), but more formal and about fitting the situation exactly
- ✓Picture someone choosing clothes: a raincoat is appropriate when it rains, but a swimsuit is not
- ✓It's the feeling when you know what is the correct or polite thing to do in a moment
- ✓Sounds like "a-PRO-pri-it" → imagine a pro (professional) picking the right tool for the job perfectly
- ✓Imagine a teacher giving students appropriate homework, meaning it fits their level and helps them learn
- ✓NOT like "random" or "wrong" — appropriate means carefully chosen to fit well
- ✓As a verb, NOT like "steal" (illegal taking), but more like "officially take or use for a purpose"
- ✓When used as a verb, it often involves money or resources being set aside by a government or organization
Try Other Words
- •Suitable: right or good for a particular purpose (Use when you want to say something fits well but not necessarily perfectly)
- •Proper: correct or acceptable in a situation (Use when emphasizing social rules or manners)
- •Allocate: to set aside resources or money for a purpose (Use as a verb when talking about official distribution, similar to "appropriate" as a verb)
- •Take: to get or hold something (Use informally instead of "appropriate" as a verb when no official or legal meaning is needed)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Latin "ad-" (to, toward) + "proprius" (own, special) → meaning "to make one's own" or "fit for oneself"
- •Etymology: Latin origin, entered English in the 1500s with meanings of fitting or taking for oneself
- •Historical development: Started as an adjective meaning fitting or proper, later also used as a verb meaning to take for a purpose
- •Modern usage: Common in formal speech and writing to describe what is right or fitting, or when referring to official taking or setting aside of resources
Reflect & Connect
•How do you decide what is appropriate behavior in different cultures or situations?
•Can something be appropriate in one place but not in another? How do we learn these differences?
Fill in the blanks
1.It is important to wear ___ clothes when going to a job interview to make a good impression.
2.The city council ___ money to build new parks for the community this year.
3.Using polite words is ___ when talking to strangers or elders.
4.The teacher said that the homework should be ___ for the students’ age and skill level.
5.When the company ___ funds for training, it helps employees learn new skills.
6.It is not ___ to use your phone loudly during a meeting because it can disturb others.
7.The manager decided to ___ part of the budget to improve the office computers.