be proper

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.

It’s a great piece of noise music, but it’s free jazz, and it’s not even following the structures of what you know to be proper jazz behavior.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025

“Since I do not believe my impartiality can reasonably be questioned, I do not think it would be proper for me to recuse,” he wrote.

From Seattle Times • May 29, 2024

Home Office Minister Sarah Dines said it would provide "basic but proper accommodation" and would send "a forceful message that there will be proper accommodation but not luxurious".

From BBC • Aug. 7, 2023

On Monday, Sarah Dines, a Home Office minister, described the barge as “basic but proper” and said that it would send “a forceful message that there will be proper accommodation but not luxurious.”

From New York Times • Aug. 7, 2023

That night, at supper, someone remarked casually that since the army needed ammunition, wouldn’t it be proper for the ammunition factories to stay open on Sunday?

From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara