proper
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Very, exceedingly, sometimes used ironically; "you are a PROPER nice fellow," meaning a great scamp. A "PROPER man" generally means a perfect man, as far as can be known.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “proper” mean?
Very, exceedingly, sometimes used ironically; "you are a PROPER nice fellow," meaning a great scamp. A "PROPER man" generally means a perfect man, as far as can be known.
Is “proper” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.