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Proper The correct way to do something, or the appropriate thing to say. ■ "I asked my friend for directions to her house and she gave me a map that was completely wrong. But I knew it was proper to ask."
niceties The smallest, most trivial things that are considered polite and proper. These include things like saying "please" and "thank you," opening doors for others, and using proper grammar. ■ "It's the little niceties that make a big difference in a relationship," said John as he handed his girlfriend the door handle.
Appropriate adjective, Characterized by or in accordance with what is considered suitable, proper, and correct for a particular situation or person. ■ "I had to wear a suit to the job interview because it was appropriate attire."
Approved An affirmation of a decision made by the proper authorities. ■ "The new policy was approved by the board of directors last night."
coordinating The act of making sure that everything is in its proper place and working together. ■ When the cat knocked over the milk jug, John quickly sprang into action to coordinate the cleanup effort.
Dosage The proper amount of something that will make you feel funny. ■ After taking the dosage, he started giggling uncontrollably. He must have taken too much of the funny medicine.
fitness The state of being in good physical condition, especially as a result of regular exercise and proper nutrition. ■ Why did the gym go out of business? Because it didn't have enough fitness. Get it?
Formal A very serious and proper way of behaving or doing something. ■ "I forgot my formal attire at home, so I had to wear jeans and a t-shirt to the wedding."
hasty Moving or acting quickly and without proper care or consideration. ■ "I forgot my umbrella and now I'm completely soaked - typical of me to be so hasty!"
instruct To give someone a lesson or guidance on how to do something. ■ "The professor instructed the class on proper running form, but I still ended up tripping over my own feet."
mannered A person who is extremely concerned with proper behavior, manners, and etiquette. ■ She was so manned it made me want to slap her with a fish.
obligatory Something that is required by law or custom. ■ It's obligatory to wear a seatbelt in the car.; Something that is necessary or proper under certain circumstances. ■ You can't go to the beach without sunscreen - it's obligatory!
prematurely In a manner that is too early, before the proper or expected time. ■ "I accidentally spilled my coffee prematurely, leaving a brown stain on my shirt."
prim An overly polite and proper person, usually with a touch of snobbery. ■ "I can't believe you called your boss 'Mr. Jones', that's so prim of you!"
Respectable Adjective: Worthy of esteem, admiration, or approval. Often used to describe someone or something that is considered polite and proper. ■ "She was a highly respectable woman who always dressed impeccably and spoke eloquently."
rigor A strict adherence to a set of rules or principles, often associated with harshness or severity. ■ The gym teacher was known for his rigor and would make sure every student completed all the exercises with proper form.
Standard A thing that is generally accepted as being good, proper, or average. ■ I'm not a fan of fast food, it's just too standard. I prefer to make my own meals at home.
Tarnish A state of being dirty, worn-out, or in disrepute. ■The once shiny silverware had tarnished over time due to lack of cleaning and proper maintenance.
untrained A person or thing that has not received proper training or instruction. ■ "The untrained dog was running around the park, chasing squirrels and rolling in the mud."
wrongful Adjective: done or used without proper right, especially by violating someone's rights. ■ The CEO was accused of wrongful termination after he fired the janitor for stealing office supplies.
astray adjective 1: Not on the proper course or path; wandering or lost, adjective 2: Not following a particular plan or direction; going astray ■ The cat was astray for hours, meowing and looking for its home., The company's stock price went astray after the CEO resigned, leaving investors confused and worried.
Bastille A large, imposing fortress used as a prison during the French Revolution. ■The prisoners were held in the Bastille for months without any proper treatment. , An old-fashioned, usually overly serious or strict person, often seen as authoritarian. ■Don't talk back to your mother, she's a real bastille.
cultivating The act of growing plants and vegetables, typically in a garden. It requires patience, dedication, and the proper use of gardening tools. ■ "I can't believe I wasted all that time cultivating those tomato plants when they turned out to be infested with pests!
Hygiene 1 The practice of keeping oneself clean and healthy, especially through regular bathing and grooming. ■ I forgot my toothbrush at home and my mouth felt like a garbage disposal by the end of the day. I clearly need to work on my dental hygiene.; 2 a A sense of moral or ethical purity, often associated with religious beliefs or societal norms. ■ I grew up in a very strict household where hygiene was paramount. My parents believed that if we didn't wash our hands before every meal, we were going to hell. It's no wonder I have OCD now.; b The act of pretending to be clean or healthy when in reality you are quite the opposite. ■ I told my boss I was feeling great and had a lot of energy, but in reality I was dying of exhaustion. My lack of hygiene skills must have given me away. The study or principles of maintaining good health, including proper nutrition and exercise. ■ I wanted to get in shape for my summer vacation, so I started a strict hygiene routine that included daily yoga and a diet of nothing but kale smoothies. Unfortunately, my friends started calling me "The Hygienic Nazi" because I was so obsessed with cleanliness.
manhole A large, round hole in the ground designed to allow for access to underground utilities and infrastructure. Also known as a manhole cover. ■ "I accidentally fell into a manhole while trying to retrieve my lost phone, but instead of getting hurt, I ended up with a newfound appreciation for the importance of proper manhole maintenance."
Preppy A person who is overly concerned with appearance, manners, and social status. They tend to be associated with a privileged upbringing and a conservative lifestyle. ■ "She may be preppy, but at least she knows how to use proper grammar."
prickly adjective: 1. Having spines or thorns on the surface of a plant or animal., 2. Being easily offended or irritated by criticism or slight., 3. (slang) Having sexual intercourse with someone of the opposite gender. ■ Example 1: The prickly pear cactus is known for its spiny fruit, which can be quite painful to eat without proper preparation., Example 2: He was prickly about the criticism of his presentation, but he should have taken it in stride instead., Example 3: They went out on a date and ended up having a really prickly moment when they got lost in the woods.
quoting The act of taking a phrase or sentence from someone else's work and using it in your own, usually without giving proper credit. ■ John was accused of quoting a famous author without giving them any credit. He defended himself by saying "I didn't mean to quote her, I just really liked the way she said it."
regulate To ensure that something is in proper order or working correctly. In other words, to put a damper on the fun. ■ The strict teacher always made sure to regulate the class by not allowing any loud talking or running around.
Shedding The act of losing one's hair, often in large chunks, as if it were falling out of a tree. It is usually associated with aging, stress, or a lack of proper nutrition. ■ I was so embarrassed when I started shedding in front of all my friends at the party. They kept asking me if I was okay and I had to keep reassuring them that I was just shedding my hair, nothing else!
Signore A title of respect used in Italian-speaking countries to address a man, especially one who is older or of higher rank. ■ "Signore" is the proper way to address an Italian gentleman. It's not polite to use "Mr." or any other title unless you want to be seen as disrespectful.
spacing The art of arranging objects in a manner that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to read. ■ When designing a presentation, it's important to pay attention to the spacing between text, images, and other elements. A proper balance of spacing can make your presentation more visually appealing and easier to follow.
tanked verb: to get extremely drunk, usually by consuming a large amount of alcoholic beverages ■ "I accidentally tanked my car last night while I was trying to park after a few drinks.", noun: a container with a tapered bottom, used to hold and distribute liquid ■ "We need to buy new tanks for our garden hose to ensure proper water flow."
trespass Act of going beyond what is allowed or proper. Often involves a violation of someone's space or property. ■ John accidentally trespassed on his neighbor's lawn while trying to get to his own house. He ended up having a hilarious conversation with the neighbor about how much he loved their garden.
unprofessional adjective 1: of no particular skill or knowledge in a certain area ■His attempt at cooking was completely unprofessional and resulted in a burnt dinner., adjective 2: lacking proper decorum, behavior, or etiquette ■The politician's speech was full of unprofessional jokes that offended the audience.