Impropriety Meaning
/ˌɪm.pɹəˈpɹaɪ.ɪ.ti/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe condition of being improper.
nounAn improper act.
Sentence Examples
Allegations of sexual impropriety were levelled against the headmaster.
Tom seemed unconcerned with the impropriety of his question.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The politician's act of bribery was a clear ____ that the public could not accept.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The politician resigned to avoid even the slightest suggestion of financial ____ during his term.
Word Origin & History
From French impropriété, from Latin improprietās. By surface analysis, improper + -iety or im- + propriety.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"If so many ladies of rank wrote books, there could be no impropriety in her following their example,..."
— 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], “(please specify the page)”, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, pages 295–296:
"Bayh and his supporters ended up maintaining that it was no longer sufficient that a nominee had not engaged in any impropriety; now there must be no "appearance" of impropriety. Thus opponents of a nominee could raise an "appearance" of impropriety by false charges and thereby defeat him. It was a vicious circle: the nominee would not be condemned for what he had done but for what he had been accused of having done by his detractors."
— 1978, Richard Nixon, RN: the Memoirs of Richard Nixon, Grosset & Dunlap, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 421:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The politician's act of bribery was a clear ____ that the public could not accept.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The politician resigned to avoid even the slightest suggestion of financial ____ during his term.