apropos
Something that is apropos is very appropriate or relevant to a particular situation or subject being discussed. It describes a remark, action, or timing that fits perfectly with the current circumstances.
Examples
3 of 5His joke about the weather was very apropos given the sudden thunderstorm.
His joke about the weather was very fitting considering the sudden thunderstorm.
The committee found his suggestions to be highly apropos to the current crisis.
The committee found his suggestions to be very relevant to the current crisis.
That's an apropos outfit for a 1920s themed party.
That is a suitable outfit for a 1920s themed party.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the French phrase 'à propos', which literally means 'to the purpose'. If something is apropos, it fits the purpose of the moment perfectly.
Quick Quiz
The professor's anecdote was ______ to the lecture on ethics.
Correct!
The correct answer is: apropos
Examples
His joke about the weather was very apropos given the sudden thunderstorm.
everydayHis joke about the weather was very fitting considering the sudden thunderstorm.
The committee found his suggestions to be highly apropos to the current crisis.
formalThe committee found his suggestions to be very relevant to the current crisis.
That's an apropos outfit for a 1920s themed party.
informalThat is a suitable outfit for a 1920s themed party.
The author provides an apropos illustration of the theory in the third chapter.
academicThe author provides a pertinent illustration of the theory in the third chapter.
The manager's comments regarding efficiency were quite apropos during the quarterly review.
businessThe manager's comments regarding efficiency were very applicable during the quarterly review.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
apropos of nothing
without any connection to what was previously said
apropos of the subject
concerning or regarding the subject
very apropos
extremely fitting for the moment
Often Confused With
'Appropriate' is a more common general-purpose adjective, while 'apropos' often implies perfect timing or a specific relevance to a conversation.
'Approximate' means close to the actual, while 'apropos' means relevant or fitting.
Usage Notes
Apropos can be used as an adjective (meaning relevant) or as a preposition followed by 'of' (meaning 'concerning'). When used as an adjective, it usually follows the verb 'to be'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misspell the word as 'appropose' or forget that the 's' at the end is silent. Some also use 'apropos' when they simply mean 'good' rather than specifically 'relevant'.
Memory Tip
Think of the French phrase 'à propos', which literally means 'to the purpose'. If something is apropos, it fits the purpose of the moment perfectly.
Word Origin
Borrowed from the French phrase 'à propos', literally meaning 'to the purpose' or 'to the point'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The word is frequently used in intellectual or high-level professional discussions to transition between topics or to validate the relevance of a contribution.
Quick Quiz
The professor's anecdote was ______ to the lecture on ethics.
Correct!
The correct answer is: apropos
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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