Inappropriate
adjective
Not suitable or proper in the circumstances.
Wearing shorts to a formal event would be inappropriate.
Often appears as...
- inappropriate behaviour
- inappropriate conduct
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Not fitting or in line with chosen goals or values.
His answer was inappropriate to the question asked.
Often appears as...
- inappropriate answer
- inappropriate measure
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Not following rules or norms, especially in social contexts.
His inappropriate jokes made everyone uncomfortable.
Often appears as...
- inappropriate language
- inappropriate jokes
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
adjective
Not suitable or proper in the circumstances.
Wearing shorts to a formal event would be inappropriate.
Often appears as...
- inappropriate behaviour
- inappropriate conduct
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Not fitting or in line with chosen goals or values.
His answer was inappropriate to the question asked.
Often appears as...
- inappropriate answer
- inappropriate measure
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Not following rules or norms, especially in social contexts.
His inappropriate jokes made everyone uncomfortable.
Often appears as...
- inappropriate language
- inappropriate jokes
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Context Importance
Understand the event or situation before choosing words; 'inappropriate' implies a mismatch.
Saying a loud joke at a solemn ceremony is inappropriate.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Different cultures have unique norms, so learn them to avoid being inappropriate.
Discussing salaries at dinner is inappropriate in some cultures.
Pro Tip 3/3Time Matters
Consider if the timing affects appropriateness, like using a phone at a movie.
Taking calls during a conference speaker's talk is inappropriate.
Pro Tip 1/3Context Importance
Understand the event or situation before choosing words; 'inappropriate' implies a mismatch.
Saying a loud joke at a solemn ceremony is inappropriate.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Different cultures have unique norms, so learn them to avoid being inappropriate.
Discussing salaries at dinner is inappropriate in some cultures.
Pro Tip 3/3Time Matters
Consider if the timing affects appropriateness, like using a phone at a movie.
Taking calls during a conference speaker's talk is inappropriate.
Pro Tip 1/3Context Importance
Understand the event or situation before choosing words; 'inappropriate' implies a mismatch.
Saying a loud joke at a solemn ceremony is inappropriate.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Different cultures have unique norms, so learn them to avoid being inappropriate.
Discussing salaries at dinner is inappropriate in some cultures.
Pro Tip 3/3Time Matters
Consider if the timing affects appropriateness, like using a phone at a movie.
Taking calls during a conference speaker's talk is inappropriate.
Never forget "Inappropriate"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Julian Treasure: The 4...
Music is very powerful, and unfortunately, it's veneering commercial spaces, often inappropriately. I hope that's going to change over the next few years. Let me talk about brands for a moment, since some of you run brands. Every brand is out there making sound right now. There are eight expressions of a brand in sound; they're all important.
Video examples
Could a drug prevent...
and she was analyzing the data in real time. And I remember us yelling, which you're not supposed to do in an animal room where you're testing, because it had worked. It seemed like these mice were protected against stress, or they were inappropriately happy, however you want to call it. And we were really excited.
Video examples
On tennis, love and...
and to stand up for myself. And at that point it was really important for me to say, like, I'm not afraid, I'm not going anywhere, but this is inappropriate, and there's time and there's a place for everything. And that really wasn't the time and the place. We cut the part where you said you're not going anywhere,
Video examples
Ash Beckham: When to...
Our moral integrity is our responsibility and we must be prepared to defend it even when it's not convenient. That's what it means to be an ally, and if you're going to be an ally, you have to be an active Ask questions, act when you hear something inappropriate,
Video examples
Talking about history...
prosecution where they can be made sex offenders for the rest of their lives because they've done something inappropriate and the support that the community has offered us has really allowed us to move that work forward right is this a battle that has to be
Video examples
The art of choosing -...
duty to protect those who don't know any better in this case the ignorant gaijin for making the wrong choice let's face it the way I wanted my tea was inappropriate according to cultural standards and they were doing their best
Video examples
How the pandemic will...
We definitely had antitrust problems. But at least I knew what that was. When this emerged, I have to say, my instinct was to joke about it. People have said that's really inappropriate, because this is a very serious thing.
Video examples
Sheena Iyengar: The art...
it's their duty to protect those who don't know any better -- in this case, the ignorant gaijin -- from making the wrong choice. Let's face the way I wanted my tea was inappropriate according to cultural standards,
Video examples
Cute Cheetah Cub...
were singularly inappropriate lizards were never going to feature on their menu warthogs on the other hand have potential adult eaters do sometimes kill young warthogs but the full-grown pigs
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 322 PIPE...
right whoa I caught a locust look but it's sitting in a very inappropriate place so I have to catch it first I'm doing an infrared how cool is this like a rain locust or something
Video examples
Julian Treasure: The 4...
Music is very powerful, and unfortunately, it's veneering commercial spaces, often inappropriately. I hope that's going to change over the next few years. Let me talk about brands for a moment, since some of you run brands. Every brand is out there making sound right now. There are eight expressions of a brand in sound; they're all important.
Video examples
Could a drug prevent...
and she was analyzing the data in real time. And I remember us yelling, which you're not supposed to do in an animal room where you're testing, because it had worked. It seemed like these mice were protected against stress, or they were inappropriately happy, however you want to call it. And we were really excited.
Video examples
On tennis, love and...
and to stand up for myself. And at that point it was really important for me to say, like, I'm not afraid, I'm not going anywhere, but this is inappropriate, and there's time and there's a place for everything. And that really wasn't the time and the place. We cut the part where you said you're not going anywhere,
Video examples
Ash Beckham: When to...
Our moral integrity is our responsibility and we must be prepared to defend it even when it's not convenient. That's what it means to be an ally, and if you're going to be an ally, you have to be an active Ask questions, act when you hear something inappropriate,
Video examples
Talking about history...
prosecution where they can be made sex offenders for the rest of their lives because they've done something inappropriate and the support that the community has offered us has really allowed us to move that work forward right is this a battle that has to be
Video examples
The art of choosing -...
duty to protect those who don't know any better in this case the ignorant gaijin for making the wrong choice let's face it the way I wanted my tea was inappropriate according to cultural standards and they were doing their best
Video examples
How the pandemic will...
We definitely had antitrust problems. But at least I knew what that was. When this emerged, I have to say, my instinct was to joke about it. People have said that's really inappropriate, because this is a very serious thing.
Video examples
Sheena Iyengar: The art...
it's their duty to protect those who don't know any better -- in this case, the ignorant gaijin -- from making the wrong choice. Let's face the way I wanted my tea was inappropriate according to cultural standards,
Video examples
Cute Cheetah Cub...
were singularly inappropriate lizards were never going to feature on their menu warthogs on the other hand have potential adult eaters do sometimes kill young warthogs but the full-grown pigs
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 322 PIPE...
right whoa I caught a locust look but it's sitting in a very inappropriate place so I have to catch it first I'm doing an infrared how cool is this like a rain locust or something
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Stephanie Coontz
American Author
When we assume that 'normal' people need 'time to heal,' or discourage individuals from making any decisions until a year or more after a loss, as some grief counselors do, we may be giving inappropriate advice. Such advice can cause people who feel ready to move on to wonder if they are hardhearted.
Quote examples
Rod Lurie
Israeli Director
I still viewed myself as a reviewer when I was on radio. Was it appropriate for me? I think the answer is it's only inappropriate if I allowed it to affect my film reviewing. I don't think you will find any studio that said, 'Yeah, he went easy on us because he was shopping a script.
Quote examples
Jess Weixler
American Actress
In movies, you get to explore parts of yourself that in real life, people shy away from, like looking stupid or embarrassing yourself or getting too angry, anything inappropriate. As an actor, you walk into those moments.
Quote examples
Ted Wheeler
American Politician
I think it is extremely inappropriate for people to be blocking traffic, to be harassing people going about their everyday business and violating the law. I do not support that kind of behavior.
Quote examples
Tony Parsons
English Critic
I am all for cracking down on inappropriate digital behaviour. Too often the connected world is an excuse for some coward hiding behind a keyboard to bully someone else.
Quote examples
Theresa May
British Politician
We know of officers who develop inappropriate relationships with victims of domestic abuse. They have ignored their professional duty and their moral responsibility.
Quote examples
Marsha Blackburn
American Politician
We don't want the federal government to shut down. It is so inappropriate, and it is not respectful of the people that have sent us here to do our jobs.
Quote examples
Andrew Lansley
British Politician
I think we have to understand that sugar is an essential component of food; it's just that sugar in excess is an inappropriate and unhelpful diet.
Quote examples
Hillary Clinton
American Politician
Sometimes, in public life, people ask inappropriate, off-the-wall kinds of questions, don't they?
Quote examples
Colleen Ballinger
American Comedian
Miranda, my character, cannot sing, cannot act, and is really inappropriate.
Quote examples
Stephanie Coontz
American Author
When we assume that 'normal' people need 'time to heal,' or discourage individuals from making any decisions until a year or more after a loss, as some grief counselors do, we may be giving inappropriate advice. Such advice can cause people who feel ready to move on to wonder if they are hardhearted.
Quote examples
Rod Lurie
Israeli Director
I still viewed myself as a reviewer when I was on radio. Was it appropriate for me? I think the answer is it's only inappropriate if I allowed it to affect my film reviewing. I don't think you will find any studio that said, 'Yeah, he went easy on us because he was shopping a script.
Quote examples
Jess Weixler
American Actress
In movies, you get to explore parts of yourself that in real life, people shy away from, like looking stupid or embarrassing yourself or getting too angry, anything inappropriate. As an actor, you walk into those moments.
Quote examples
Ted Wheeler
American Politician
I think it is extremely inappropriate for people to be blocking traffic, to be harassing people going about their everyday business and violating the law. I do not support that kind of behavior.
Quote examples
Tony Parsons
English Critic
I am all for cracking down on inappropriate digital behaviour. Too often the connected world is an excuse for some coward hiding behind a keyboard to bully someone else.
Quote examples
Theresa May
British Politician
We know of officers who develop inappropriate relationships with victims of domestic abuse. They have ignored their professional duty and their moral responsibility.
Quote examples
Marsha Blackburn
American Politician
We don't want the federal government to shut down. It is so inappropriate, and it is not respectful of the people that have sent us here to do our jobs.
Quote examples
Andrew Lansley
British Politician
I think we have to understand that sugar is an essential component of food; it's just that sugar in excess is an inappropriate and unhelpful diet.
Quote examples
Hillary Clinton
American Politician
Sometimes, in public life, people ask inappropriate, off-the-wall kinds of questions, don't they?
Quote examples
Colleen Ballinger
American Comedian
Miranda, my character, cannot sing, cannot act, and is really inappropriate.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension