Library / English Dictionary

APPROPRIATE

 I. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc

Example:

it seems that an apology is appropriate

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

befitting (appropriate to)

grade-appropriate (the quality of ability and work that is appropriate for students in a specified grade)

pat (exactly suited to the occasion)

proper; right (appropriate for a condition or purpose or occasion or a person's character, needs)

Also:

apropos (of an appropriate or pertinent nature)

proper (marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness)

Attribute:

appropriateness (the quality of being specially suitable)

Antonym:

inappropriate (not suitable for a particular occasion etc)

Derivation:

appropriateness (the quality of being specially suitable)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

Example:

She sets aside time for meditation every day

Synonyms:

allow; appropriate; earmark; reserve; set aside

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "appropriate" is one way to...):

allot; assign; portion (give out)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something to somebody

Derivation:

appropriable (that can be appropriated)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Take possession of by force, as after an invasion

Example:

The militia captured the castle

Synonyms:

appropriate; capture; conquer; seize

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "appropriate" is one way to...):

arrogate; assume; seize; take over; usurp (seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "appropriate"):

carry (capture after a fight)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something from somebody

Derivation:

appropriative (of or relating to or given to the act of taking for yourself)

appropriator (someone who takes for his or her own use (especially without permission))

Credits

 Context examples: 

The findings suggest that this approach may be appropriate for some disease scenarios, but may induce complex responses in other disease scenarios by inhibiting helpful and homeostatic functions of inflammation.

(Immune system can slow degenerative eye disease, National Institutes of Health)

Empathy has two parts: the ability to recognize another person’s thoughts and feelings, and the ability to respond with an appropriate emotion to someone else’s thoughts and feelings.

(Study finds that genes play a role in empathy, University of Cambridge)

In this way, we can help in a diabetic context to better control and maintain appropriate levels of glucose without pharmacological intervention.

(Researchers Develop Insulin-Producing Cells Activated by Light for Diabetes, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

They found that silicon nanocrystals with appropriate surface ligands can rapidly transfer energy to surrounding molecules.

(Making higher energy light to fight cancer, National Science Foundation)

Planets in Capricorn, a financially minded sign, suggest that you will likely be involved with setting up budgets and appropriating funds.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Categorising patients into one of these groups helps oncologists choose an appropriate treatment, with some groups requiring more aggressive therapy than others.

(New method to classify brain tumour in children, SciDev.Net)

The findings suggest that a healthy microbiome is necessary for appropriate regulation of miRNAs in these brain regions.

(New Light on Link between Gut Bacteria, Anxiety, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Previously, scientists had found that laboratory mice lacking functional MDA5 could not detect genetic material from several viruses, making them unable to launch appropriate immune responses against them.

(Scientists discover rare genetic susceptibility to common cold, National Institutes of Health)

And your mother has brought on herself a most appropriate punishment.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

One clue is that you can zone in and out of conversations or tasks when appropriate, then naturally tune back in without missing important points or steps.

(Daydreaming Is Good: It Means You're Smart, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)