Improper
adjective
Not in line with accepted standards or rules.
He was fired because of his improper behavior.
Often appears as...
- improper behavior
- improper conduct
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Not suitable or not matching the situation.
It was improper to laugh during the funeral ceremony.
Often appears as...
- improper timing
- improper place
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
In math, a fraction in which the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator.
7/5 is an improper fraction.
Often appears as...
- improper fraction
- improper integral
Usage tips
Technical
adjective
Not following the rules or norms of grammar or language.
His improper usage of grammar made his essay hard to comprehend.
Often appears as...
- improper sentence
- improper language
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Not in line with accepted standards or rules.
He was fired because of his improper behavior.
Often appears as...
- improper behavior
- improper conduct
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Not suitable or not matching the situation.
It was improper to laugh during the funeral ceremony.
Often appears as...
- improper timing
- improper place
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
In math, a fraction in which the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator.
7/5 is an improper fraction.
Often appears as...
- improper fraction
- improper integral
Usage tips
Technical
adjective
Not following the rules or norms of grammar or language.
His improper usage of grammar made his essay hard to comprehend.
Often appears as...
- improper sentence
- improper language
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Professional Settings
Use 'improper' to describe actions that don't fit work or formal situations, indicating unprofessionalism.
Discussing personal life loudly at work is improper.
Pro Tip 2/2Cultural Sensitivity
What's 'improper' can vary between cultures; research and respect local customs when you travel.
Wearing shoes indoors is improper in some cultures.
Compare with
fitinappropriateincongruousincorrectsuitableunbecomingunsuited
Never forget "Improper"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
A Very Intelligent Bear...
ahead and look through some cars and see if we can find some food in it mmm improper food storage and we'll go ahead and tow the car so the Bears can't get into it tonight I'm gonna move the ball so I got a warning yesterday they didn't clean it up they were due out today too not quite enough to really notice of
Video examples
Laurie Garrett: What can...
that most of transmission was because people were removing their masks improperly. And their hand got contaminated with the outside of the mask, and then they rubbed their nose. Bingo! They got SARS. It wasn't flying microbes. If you go online right now, you'll get so much phony-baloney information.
Video examples
When is water safe to...
Why is that? Inadequate sanitation, poor protection of drinking water sources, and improper hygiene often lead to sewage and feces-contaminated water. That's the ideal breeding ground for dangerous bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Video examples
Encouraging troops to be...
what we were doing was illegal they said that if a soldier told us that an Afghan woman needed a sewing machine to provide for her family that was an improper solicitation of gifts to violated ethics regulations crazy so military
Video examples
Jim Chuchu: Why are...
their collections we're asking them to account for the violent histories of some of the objects in their collections by labeling their collections more truthfully we're asking them to return objects that were improperly acquired
Video examples
Paul Zak: Trust,...
These are not people you want to have a beer with. They have many of the attributes of psychopaths. Now there are other ways the system can be inhibited. One is through improper nurturing. So we've studied sexually abused women,
Video examples
Wildfires 101 PIPE National...
for fires to erupt. However, about 90% of wildfires are caused by human activity, such as campfires that become uncontrollable, improperly handled cigarettes, or arson. Although wildfires occur worldwide, they are most common
Video examples
Sugata Mitra: Build a...
she raised her hand, and she says to me in broken Tamil and English, she said, "Well, apart from the fact that improper replication of the DNA molecule causes disease, we haven't understood anything else."
Video examples
How Food Can Make Us...
die these illnesses can originate at any point from farm to table contaminated water animals or equipment contain food unhygienic conditions can allow pathogens to grow improper temperatures
Video examples
New experiments in...
So a 12 year-old girl raises her hand and says, literally, "Apart from the fact that improper replication of the DNA molecule causes genetic disease, we've understood nothing else."
Video examples
A Very Intelligent Bear...
ahead and look through some cars and see if we can find some food in it mmm improper food storage and we'll go ahead and tow the car so the Bears can't get into it tonight I'm gonna move the ball so I got a warning yesterday they didn't clean it up they were due out today too not quite enough to really notice of
Video examples
Laurie Garrett: What can...
that most of transmission was because people were removing their masks improperly. And their hand got contaminated with the outside of the mask, and then they rubbed their nose. Bingo! They got SARS. It wasn't flying microbes. If you go online right now, you'll get so much phony-baloney information.
Video examples
When is water safe to...
Why is that? Inadequate sanitation, poor protection of drinking water sources, and improper hygiene often lead to sewage and feces-contaminated water. That's the ideal breeding ground for dangerous bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Video examples
Encouraging troops to be...
what we were doing was illegal they said that if a soldier told us that an Afghan woman needed a sewing machine to provide for her family that was an improper solicitation of gifts to violated ethics regulations crazy so military
Video examples
Jim Chuchu: Why are...
their collections we're asking them to account for the violent histories of some of the objects in their collections by labeling their collections more truthfully we're asking them to return objects that were improperly acquired
Video examples
Paul Zak: Trust,...
These are not people you want to have a beer with. They have many of the attributes of psychopaths. Now there are other ways the system can be inhibited. One is through improper nurturing. So we've studied sexually abused women,
Video examples
Wildfires 101 PIPE National...
for fires to erupt. However, about 90% of wildfires are caused by human activity, such as campfires that become uncontrollable, improperly handled cigarettes, or arson. Although wildfires occur worldwide, they are most common
Video examples
Sugata Mitra: Build a...
she raised her hand, and she says to me in broken Tamil and English, she said, "Well, apart from the fact that improper replication of the DNA molecule causes disease, we haven't understood anything else."
Video examples
How Food Can Make Us...
die these illnesses can originate at any point from farm to table contaminated water animals or equipment contain food unhygienic conditions can allow pathogens to grow improper temperatures
Video examples
New experiments in...
So a 12 year-old girl raises her hand and says, literally, "Apart from the fact that improper replication of the DNA molecule causes genetic disease, we've understood nothing else."
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Richard Attenborough
English Actor
I very, very, very rarely lose my temper. I do get cross sometimes when encountering something that I feel is improper, that I feel is lacking in justice and equity, and this all sounds very pompous and over the top - but these are the things that really upset me: intolerance, prejudice etc. I suppose in more mundane matters, I'm impatient.
Quote examples
Eliot Spitzer
American Lawyer
As one who was a prosecutor for many years, I can tell you that having a tape recording of interrogations would help everybody. It would make clear if there had been improper pressure exerted on a defendant or witness, and it would also protect the interrogating officer from false claims that such pressure had been brought to bear.
Quote examples
Dan Levy
American Comedian
To edit someone from your life must be a properly evaluated decision. After all, the act of distancing yourself is difficult and, if executed improperly, could prove even more troublesome than if you were to have done nothing at all. The key is to create the distance gradually - a 'fade out' as I like to call it.
Quote examples
Peter M. Brant
American Businessman
My whole life I've hated to lose, no doubt about it. I've been guilty of that since I was 6 years old, at camp. I have always played to win. That's who I am. But I never hurt anybody. The problem is when you're perceived as being too aggressive where you hurt somebody or do something improper.
Quote examples
Elias Hicks
American Clergyman
In reading the scriptures of truth, we often put wrong constructions upon them, and apply them improperly; and I apprehend it has often been the case in relation to this portion, particularly that part in relation to man's seeking out many inventions.
Quote examples
Maryanne Trump Barry
American Judge
My personal opinions on any subject are really not relevant, not important, and to the extent that I might inject them, I am acting improperly as either a District Court judge or as an appellate court judge.
Quote examples
Pete Seeger
American Musician
I think these are very improper questions for any American to be asked, especially under such compulsion as this. I would be very glad to tell you my life if you want to hear of it.
Quote examples
Octavio Paz
Mexican Poet
It is not proper to project our feelings onto things or to attribute our own sensations and passions to them. Can it also be improper to see in them a guide, a way of life?
Quote examples
Michael Sheen
Welsh Actor
My chief gifts are - naturally good at all sports with a raw talent for pretty much everything, which if nurtured could develop into improper talent.
Quote examples
Tom Frieden
American Public Servant
Using prescription drug monitoring programs is an important step in identifying patients who may be improperly using prescription painkillers.
Quote examples
Richard Attenborough
English Actor
I very, very, very rarely lose my temper. I do get cross sometimes when encountering something that I feel is improper, that I feel is lacking in justice and equity, and this all sounds very pompous and over the top - but these are the things that really upset me: intolerance, prejudice etc. I suppose in more mundane matters, I'm impatient.
Quote examples
Eliot Spitzer
American Lawyer
As one who was a prosecutor for many years, I can tell you that having a tape recording of interrogations would help everybody. It would make clear if there had been improper pressure exerted on a defendant or witness, and it would also protect the interrogating officer from false claims that such pressure had been brought to bear.
Quote examples
Dan Levy
American Comedian
To edit someone from your life must be a properly evaluated decision. After all, the act of distancing yourself is difficult and, if executed improperly, could prove even more troublesome than if you were to have done nothing at all. The key is to create the distance gradually - a 'fade out' as I like to call it.
Quote examples
Peter M. Brant
American Businessman
My whole life I've hated to lose, no doubt about it. I've been guilty of that since I was 6 years old, at camp. I have always played to win. That's who I am. But I never hurt anybody. The problem is when you're perceived as being too aggressive where you hurt somebody or do something improper.
Quote examples
Elias Hicks
American Clergyman
In reading the scriptures of truth, we often put wrong constructions upon them, and apply them improperly; and I apprehend it has often been the case in relation to this portion, particularly that part in relation to man's seeking out many inventions.
Quote examples
Maryanne Trump Barry
American Judge
My personal opinions on any subject are really not relevant, not important, and to the extent that I might inject them, I am acting improperly as either a District Court judge or as an appellate court judge.
Quote examples
Pete Seeger
American Musician
I think these are very improper questions for any American to be asked, especially under such compulsion as this. I would be very glad to tell you my life if you want to hear of it.
Quote examples
Octavio Paz
Mexican Poet
It is not proper to project our feelings onto things or to attribute our own sensations and passions to them. Can it also be improper to see in them a guide, a way of life?
Quote examples
Michael Sheen
Welsh Actor
My chief gifts are - naturally good at all sports with a raw talent for pretty much everything, which if nurtured could develop into improper talent.
Quote examples
Tom Frieden
American Public Servant
Using prescription drug monitoring programs is an important step in identifying patients who may be improperly using prescription painkillers.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension