Propriety
noun
Doing something according to the right rules or standard behavior.
They questioned the propriety of his decision to dismiss the worker without any warning.
Often appears as...
- question the propriety
- maintain the propriety
noun
The state of being suitable and right for a certain situation.
The propriety of her dressing was criticized at the meeting.
Often appears as...
- propriety of dressing
- question the propriety
noun
The qualities and behaviors that people consider to be correct or acceptable.
She always maintains a strict sense of propriety in her actions.
Often appears as...
- sense of propriety
- breach of propriety
noun
Doing something according to the right rules or standard behavior.
They questioned the propriety of his decision to dismiss the worker without any warning.
Often appears as...
- question the propriety
- maintain the propriety
noun
The state of being suitable and right for a certain situation.
The propriety of her dressing was criticized at the meeting.
Often appears as...
- propriety of dressing
- question the propriety
noun
The qualities and behaviors that people consider to be correct or acceptable.
She always maintains a strict sense of propriety in her actions.
Often appears as...
- sense of propriety
- breach of propriety
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
Consider local customs and etiquette since 'propriety' can vary greatly across cultures.
He learned the propriety of formal greetings while doing business in Japan.
Pro Tip 2/3Subjective Judgment
'Propriety' often involves personal judgment and may differ among individuals.
The blogger debated the propriety of sharing personal details online.
Pro Tip 3/3Critique and Debate
'Propriety' can be a subject of debate, particularly in decisions affecting others.
The council argued over the propriety of the new public spending measures.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
Consider local customs and etiquette since 'propriety' can vary greatly across cultures.
He learned the propriety of formal greetings while doing business in Japan.
Pro Tip 2/3Subjective Judgment
'Propriety' often involves personal judgment and may differ among individuals.
The blogger debated the propriety of sharing personal details online.
Pro Tip 3/3Critique and Debate
'Propriety' can be a subject of debate, particularly in decisions affecting others.
The council argued over the propriety of the new public spending measures.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
Consider local customs and etiquette since 'propriety' can vary greatly across cultures.
He learned the propriety of formal greetings while doing business in Japan.
Pro Tip 2/3Subjective Judgment
'Propriety' often involves personal judgment and may differ among individuals.
The blogger debated the propriety of sharing personal details online.
Pro Tip 3/3Critique and Debate
'Propriety' can be a subject of debate, particularly in decisions affecting others.
The council argued over the propriety of the new public spending measures.
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Video examples
Bob Mankoff: Anatomy of...
He is both being polite and rude. In here, you have the propriety of The New Yorker and the vulgarity of the language. Basically, that's the way humor works. So I'm a humor analyst, you would say. Now E.B. White said, analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Nobody is much interested, and the frog dies.
Video examples
The wicked wit of Jane...
They trade pragmatic advice, friendly jokes and not-so-friendly barbs about their arrogant peers. As they grapple with the endless rules of their society, Austen’s characters can usually find humor in all the hypocrisy, propriety, and small talk.
Video examples
Adam Nicolson: The King...
do a new translation of the New Testament and which he said he aimed to close the idea of the Apostle the Apostles with propriety and perspicuity replacing the bald and barbarous language of the old vulgar version
Video examples
Bob Mankoff: Anatomy of...
He is both being polite and rude. In here, you have the propriety of The New Yorker and the vulgarity of the language. Basically, that's the way humor works. So I'm a humor analyst, you would say. Now E.B. White said, analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Nobody is much interested, and the frog dies.
Video examples
The wicked wit of Jane...
They trade pragmatic advice, friendly jokes and not-so-friendly barbs about their arrogant peers. As they grapple with the endless rules of their society, Austen’s characters can usually find humor in all the hypocrisy, propriety, and small talk.
Video examples
Adam Nicolson: The King...
do a new translation of the New Testament and which he said he aimed to close the idea of the Apostle the Apostles with propriety and perspicuity replacing the bald and barbarous language of the old vulgar version
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Horatio Nelson
British Admiral
Firstly you must always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own regarding their propriety. Secondly, you must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your king; and thirdly you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil.
Quote examples
Eric Clapton
British Musician
I feel a real need to observe a level of propriety in what I'm handing out. Instead of me just venting or spilling my guts, I've got to consider how it's going to affect people. How it's going to affect me, as well. Because it's like a cycle.
Quote examples
Xun Kuang
Chinese Philosopher
A person is born with desires of the eyes and ears, and a liking for beautiful sights and sounds. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to immorality and lack of restriction, and any ritual principles and propriety will be abandoned.
Quote examples
Alexandra Fuller
English Author
It seems very clear to me that we, in the West, cannot afford to continue assuming propriety over the world's resources in a careless, greedy way without paying for it - not only with the lives of our loved ones, but also with our souls.
Quote examples
Fatty Arbuckle
American Comedian
I shall produce nothing that will offend the proprieties, whether applied to children or grownups. My pictures are turned out with clean hands and, therefore, with a clear conscience which, like virtue, is its own reward.
Quote examples
Jay Alan Sekulow
American Lawyer
I do not mean that you could continue to do this with propriety or even with safety; I merely assert that the power is, in point of fact, in your hands. And for such a power, what a responsibility to God and man!
Quote examples
James Madison
American President
I entirely concur in the propriety of resorting to the sense in which the Constitution was accepted and ratified by the nation. In that sense alone it is the legitimate Constitution.
Quote examples
Jack Layton
Canadian Politician
The responsibility of a minister is to step aside when there is a criminal investigation of the department. That protects the propriety of Parliament and of responsible government.
Quote examples
Confucius
Chinese Philosopher
Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety.
Quote examples
Eric Stoltz
American Actor
I'm a gentleman, if nothing else. It's taken me years to become one, but finally I have a sense of propriety.
Quote examples
Horatio Nelson
British Admiral
Firstly you must always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own regarding their propriety. Secondly, you must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your king; and thirdly you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil.
Quote examples
Eric Clapton
British Musician
I feel a real need to observe a level of propriety in what I'm handing out. Instead of me just venting or spilling my guts, I've got to consider how it's going to affect people. How it's going to affect me, as well. Because it's like a cycle.
Quote examples
Xun Kuang
Chinese Philosopher
A person is born with desires of the eyes and ears, and a liking for beautiful sights and sounds. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to immorality and lack of restriction, and any ritual principles and propriety will be abandoned.
Quote examples
Alexandra Fuller
English Author
It seems very clear to me that we, in the West, cannot afford to continue assuming propriety over the world's resources in a careless, greedy way without paying for it - not only with the lives of our loved ones, but also with our souls.
Quote examples
Fatty Arbuckle
American Comedian
I shall produce nothing that will offend the proprieties, whether applied to children or grownups. My pictures are turned out with clean hands and, therefore, with a clear conscience which, like virtue, is its own reward.
Quote examples
Jay Alan Sekulow
American Lawyer
I do not mean that you could continue to do this with propriety or even with safety; I merely assert that the power is, in point of fact, in your hands. And for such a power, what a responsibility to God and man!
Quote examples
James Madison
American President
I entirely concur in the propriety of resorting to the sense in which the Constitution was accepted and ratified by the nation. In that sense alone it is the legitimate Constitution.
Quote examples
Jack Layton
Canadian Politician
The responsibility of a minister is to step aside when there is a criminal investigation of the department. That protects the propriety of Parliament and of responsible government.
Quote examples
Confucius
Chinese Philosopher
Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety.
Quote examples
Eric Stoltz
American Actor
I'm a gentleman, if nothing else. It's taken me years to become one, but finally I have a sense of propriety.
Example 1 of 10
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