appropriate
/əˈprəʊpriət/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈprəʊpriət/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈprō-prē-ət/ (ame, mw) · /əˈprəʊ.pri.eɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈproʊ.pri.eɪt/ (ame, ipa)
appropriate — adjective
1. right for the needs, rules, or mood of a particular time, place, or purpose
right for the needs, rules, or mood of a particular time, place, or purpose
Jeans were not appropriate for the wedding at City Hall.
appropriate for + event
The nurse used calm, appropriate words when the little boy cried.
before noun: appropriate words
Given the storm warning, closing the beach was appropriate.
A short email is more appropriate than a late-night phone call.
Luca chose quiet, appropriate music for the memorial hall.
- inappropriate
direct opposite when something does not fit the situation.
- unsuitable
focuses on poor fit for a purpose or use.
- improper
often suggests bad manners or rule-breaking.
文法句型
appropriate for + situation
appropriate response
appropriate language
be appropriate to + occasion
用法筆記
Often follows be and is commonly followed by for when you name the situation. Before nouns, it often describes things like language, clothes, behavior, response, or level. Distinguish from the verb senses: this adjective describes suitability, not taking or setting something aside.
常見錯誤
appropriate — verb
1. to start using money, land, ideas, or other things as if they were yours, althou
to start using money, land, ideas, or other things as if they were yours, although you have no right to them
The director appropriated charity money and paid for a beach house.
appropriate + money for private use
During the war, soldiers appropriated empty farms near the river.
formal use with land or property
Security cameras showed the manager appropriating office laptops for his sons.
The new rulers appropriated land from families who had fled north.
Auditors found the mayor had appropriated school funds for family travel.
文法句型
appropriate something
appropriate something for personal use
appropriate public money
appropriate land
用法筆記
Common in news, historical, and legal writing rather than everyday speech. The object is usually something valuable that is taken over improperly, such as money, land, property, or materials. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense is wrongful private use, not an official budget decision.
常見錯誤
2. to lift words, images, styles, or customs from another culture and present them
to lift words, images, styles, or customs from another culture and present them inside your own work or group
The brand appropriated Maori patterns without asking local artists first.
appropriate + cultural pattern
Critics said the film appropriated Black slang for quick laughs.
common with language or style
By copying sacred dance moves, the show appropriated island culture.
The singer appropriated festival dress from another community on tour.
A museum guide explained why the poster appropriated Asian symbols carelessly.
文法句型
appropriate cultural symbols
appropriate traditional dress
appropriate slang
appropriate motifs
用法筆記
Usually appears in discussions of art, fashion, music, media, and identity. The object is typically a cultural element rather than money or property. Distinguish from neutral words like borrow or adopt: this sense often implies lack of respect, context, or permission.
常見錯誤
3. to reserve money or another resource so it can be used for one named plan
to reserve money or another resource so it can be used for one named plan
Congress appropriated extra funds for bridge repairs after the flood.
appropriate funds for + purpose
The school board appropriated money for new science labs.
official body + appropriate money
Last winter, lawmakers appropriated emergency aid for fishing towns.
From its health budget, the county appropriated two million dollars for clinics.
The committee appropriated part of the grant for child care.
文法句型
appropriate funds for + purpose
appropriate money for + project
appropriate an amount for + use
be appropriated for + purpose
用法筆記
Most common in official reports, budgets, and government news. The object is usually funds, money, aid, land, or another resource, and the phrase often continues with for to name the purpose. Distinguish from sense 1: here the action is an authorized assignment, not wrongful taking.