impropriety
impropriety — noun
- improprietysingular
- improprietiesplural
1. actions or conduct that break the rules of honesty, good taste, or social correc
actions or conduct that break the rules of honesty, good taste, or social correctness expected in a given context — for example, a manager who secretly takes money from the company, or a politician who accepts gifts in exchange for favours.
The company fired the accountant for financial impropriety after funds went missing.
collocation: financial impropriety
Anjali was removed from the committee for impropriety in handling the donations.
uncountable: impropriety in (doing) something
The senator denied any impropriety in his dealings with the construction company.
Impropriety in business transactions can ruin a firm's reputation overnight.
When the audit revealed multiple cases of impropriety, the board demanded a full investigation.
- misconduct
stronger focus on professional wrongdoing, especially in a workplace setting
- wrongdoing
broader term covering any illegal or immoral act
- unethical behaviour
specifies a violation of moral principles rather than social rules
- propriety
the correct or socially acceptable way of behaving
- correctness
emphasises following rules and standards
文法句型
there is/was no impropriety in (doing) something
accused of impropriety
deny any impropriety
用法筆記
Common in legal and journalistic language. This sense is uncountable and often appears in negative statements ("no impropriety") or as the object of verbs like deny, allege, suspect.
常見錯誤
2. a specific remark or action that is considered morally wrong, offensive, or sexu
a specific remark or action that is considered morally wrong, offensive, or sexually inappropriate in a particular setting — for example, telling an off-colour joke at a formal dinner or making an unwanted advance towards a colleague.
The newspaper reported that the mayor had committed several improprieties during the charity gala.
collocation: commit an impropriety
Astrid felt that the comment about her appearance was a serious impropriety.
The school suspended the teacher for an impropriety involving a student.
Making rude jokes during an interview is an impropriety that can cost you the job.
- indecency
specifically describes behaviour that violates accepted standards of sexual morality
- offence
broader term; can be used for any act that causes annoyance or resentment
- indiscretion
softer term suggesting lack of good judgment rather than deliberate wrongdoing
- decency
behaviour that respects accepted social and moral standards
文法句型
commit an impropriety
make improprieties
用法筆記
Countable in this sense — use 'an impropriety' for a single instance and 'improprieties' for multiple. Often refers to sexually inappropriate behaviour, but can describe any offensive or indecorous act.
常見錯誤
3. the abstract condition of being wrong, unsuitable, or out of place in a particul
the abstract condition of being wrong, unsuitable, or out of place in a particular situation — for example, the realisation that a question you asked was too personal, or a feeling that a gift is too expensive to be appropriate.
The impropriety of wearing jeans to a formal ceremony was clear to everyone present.
pattern: the impropriety of [noun/gerund]
Xiu realised the impropriety of forwarding the private email to the entire department.
Romi was too young to understand the impropriety of her question during the funeral service.
The impropriety of his loud laugh in the quiet library drew annoyed looks from readers.
- inappropriateness
direct synonym, more commonly used in everyday English
- unsuitability
stresses a poor match between something and its context
- appropriateness
the quality of being suitable or correct for a situation
- suitability
the degree to which something fits a purpose or context
文法句型
the impropriety of (doing) something
用法筆記
Almost always followed by an 'of'-phrase that specifies what is inappropriate. This sense describes a quality or judgement, not an action, so it cannot be used with verbs like 'commit' or 'deny'.