B2 adverb Formal

appropriately

/əˈproʊ.pri.ət.li/

To perform an action in a manner that is suitable, right, or proper for a particular situation, person, or occasion. It implies following specific social norms, professional standards, or logical requirements.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Make sure you dress appropriately for the cold weather before going outside.

Make sure you dress suitably for the cold weather before going outside.

2

The department will respond appropriately to all formal grievances filed by staff.

The department will respond in a suitable way to all formal grievances filed by staff.

3

You need to act appropriately if you want to stay at this dinner party.

You need to behave well if you want to stay at this dinner party.

Word Family

Noun
appropriateness
Verb
appropriate
Adverb
appropriately
Adjective
appropriate
Related
appropriation
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Memory Tip

Think of the root 'pro' which relates to 'proper'. To act appropriately is to act in a PRO-per way for the PRO-blem.

Quick Quiz

Since the meeting is with the CEO, please ensure you are dressed _______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: appropriately

Examples

1

Make sure you dress appropriately for the cold weather before going outside.

everyday

Make sure you dress suitably for the cold weather before going outside.

2

The department will respond appropriately to all formal grievances filed by staff.

formal

The department will respond in a suitable way to all formal grievances filed by staff.

3

You need to act appropriately if you want to stay at this dinner party.

informal

You need to behave well if you want to stay at this dinner party.

4

The researchers appropriately adjusted the variables to account for external bias.

academic

The researchers correctly adjusted the variables to account for external bias.

5

All client data must be handled appropriately according to the new privacy laws.

business

All client data must be handled in the correct manner according to the new privacy laws.

Word Family

Noun
appropriateness
Verb
appropriate
Adverb
appropriately
Adjective
appropriate
Related
appropriation

Common Collocations

dress appropriately wear clothes suitable for the occasion
behave appropriately act in an acceptable manner
respond appropriately react in a fitting way
function appropriately work or operate correctly
scale appropriately increase or decrease in size in a logical way

Common Phrases

act appropriately

to follow the expected rules of behavior

dealt with appropriately

handled in a correct or fair manner

labeled appropriately

marked with the correct identification

Often Confused With

appropriately vs properly

Properly focuses on technical correctness or perfection, while appropriately focuses on the suitability for a specific social or situational context.

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Usage Notes

Appropriately is frequently used in professional feedback and academic writing to describe actions that meet specific criteria or standards. It is more formal than 'well' or 'right'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'appropriately' when they simply mean 'goodly' or 'well', but it should only be used when the action 'matches' the situation.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the root 'pro' which relates to 'proper'. To act appropriately is to act in a PRO-per way for the PRO-blem.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'appropriatus', the past participle of 'appropriare', meaning 'to make one's own' or 'to make suitable'.

Grammar Patterns

Modifies a verb (e.g., 'to behave appropriately') Often placed at the end of a clause or immediately after the verb
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Cultural Context

In professional Western environments, 'dressing appropriately' is a standard expectation often listed in HR handbooks to define business casual vs. formal attire.

Quick Quiz

Since the meeting is with the CEO, please ensure you are dressed _______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: appropriately

Related Words

majority

C1

The greater number or part of a whole, specifically more than half of a total amount or group. It is often used in political or statistical contexts to describe a group that holds the most power or influence.

method

C1

A systematic, logical, and established procedure for accomplishing a task or conducting research. It implies a structured series of steps designed to achieve a specific result or to gain knowledge in a disciplined manner.

occurrence

C1

An occurrence refers to an instance or event where something happens or exists. In a broader sense, it can also describe the frequency or prevalence of a particular phenomenon within a specific context or dataset.

percent

C1

A mathematical term representing a ratio or proportion out of one hundred. It is used extensively to describe changes, statistics, and probabilities in academic and professional contexts.

percentage

C2

A percentage is a rate, number, or amount in each hundred, used to express a proportion or ratio relative to a whole. In academic contexts, it specifically refers to the quantitative measurement of a subset compared to the total population or data set.

periodic

C2

In an academic or library context, a periodic refers to a publication that is issued at regular intervals, such as a scholarly journal, magazine, or newsletter. It is characterized by its recurring nature and is often archived in series to track the development of research or news over time.

principle

B2

A principle is a fundamental truth, law, or rule that serves as the foundation for a system of belief, behavior, or reasoning. It can also refer to a personal code of conduct that guides how an individual chooses to act in various situations.

requirement

C1

A thing that is needed or wanted; a condition that must be met in order to achieve a specific goal or comply with a rule. In formal and academic settings, it often refers to a compulsory qualification or a mandatory standard of performance.

respond

B2

To say or write something as a reply to a question, statement, or letter, or to react to something by taking action. In academic contexts, it often refers to how an organism, system, or person reacts to a specific stimulus or event.

responsive

C1

Characterized by reacting quickly and positively to suggestions, influences, or stimuli. In technical and academic contexts, it describes a system or organism that adapts efficiently to changing conditions or feedback.

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