properness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The formality and the properness of the English was like a field day for me and Will.

From New York Times • Nov. 1, 2018

“If it had to do with properness, she taught it. She was tough, but when she got through with you, you were poised and professional … and thankful.”

From Washington Times • Jun. 26, 2014

It's a highly unusual move for the paper, one of the last bastions of editorial properness in an increasingly familiar world.

From Salon • May 2, 2011

Even some of Bush's Republican friends are astonished at his enduring toughness, although it is cloaked in Yankee properness.

From Time Magazine Archive

He suspected that Olanna, with her English-speaking properness, waited her turn until everything was gone.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie