appropriate

7 definitions • 12 examples

suitable or right for a particular situation or occasion:

appropriate footwear for the country

appropriate for Is this film appropriate for small children?

I didn't think his comments were very appropriate at the time.

Is this an appropriate occasion to discuss finance?

Please complete the appropriate parts of this form (= the parts that are right or necessary for your particular situation) and return it as soon as possible.

to take something for your own use, usually without permission:

He lost his job when he was found to have appropriated some of the company's money.

to take something from a culture and use it as part of your own:

As the empire expanded, they eagerly appropriated the artistic styles of neigbouring provinces.

to keep an amount of money to use for a particular purpose:

The government have appropriated millions of pounds for the project.

correct or right for a particular situation or occasion:

Punishment should be appropriate to the crime.

I don’t have any appropriate clothes.

to take and use for a purpose:

The state appropriated funds for more clinics.

Appropriate also means to steal:

He lost his job after he appropriated some of the company’s money.