propriety
/pɹəˈpɹaɪəti/
Group 15Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (noun)
- The state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals GRE
Example in Context
Questions of propriety arose when the judge attended a private dinner hosted by one of the litigants in an ongoing case.
Synonyms
correctnessdecencyetiquette
Etymology
Being proper means owning the standards of behavior.
- proprius (Latin) — one's own
Memory Aid
🏡Sounds like “property”
If you don't follow PROPRIETY, your property might be a circus tent full of clowns!
Visual Association
🎩A well-dressed gentleman tipping his hat at a fancy party, embodying proper behavior.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “propriety” mean on the GRE?
propriety (noun) means “The state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals”. Questions of propriety arose when the judge attended a private dinner hosted by one of the litigants in an ongoing case.
How to remember “propriety” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “propriety” sounds like “property”. If you don't follow PROPRIETY, your property might be a circus tent full of clowns!
What are synonyms for “propriety”?
Common synonyms: correctness, decency, etiquette.