inappropriate
/ˌɪnəˈprəʊpriət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnəˈprəʊpriət/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌi-nə-ˈprō-prē-ət/ (ame, mw)
inappropriate — adjective
- inappropriatepositive
- more inappropriatecomparative
- most inappropriatesuperlative
1. describing something that is not right or not acceptable for a particular place,
describing something that is not right or not acceptable for a particular place, time, or group of people
Léa's casual clothes were inappropriate for the formal wedding ceremony.
inappropriate + for + [context/situation]
The teacher told Caleb that laughing at a classmate's mistake was inappropriate.
Roya felt that the movie contained scenes that were inappropriate for young children.
Andrew's comments during the meeting were seen as inappropriate by the rest of the team.
It would be inappropriate to ask about a colleague's salary at a company party.
- unsuitable
Similar meaning but slightly less strong; more about practicality than social rules
- improper
More formal, often suggests a breach of professional or moral standards
- unacceptable
Stronger than inappropriate; suggests something cannot be tolerated at all
- out of place
More informal, describes something that does not belong or fit naturally
- appropriate
Suitable for the situation; the direct opposite
- suitable
Right for a particular purpose or occasion
文法句型
be inappropriate for [noun phrase]
it + be + inappropriate + to-infinitive
it + be + inappropriate + for + someone + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Frequently followed by the preposition 'for' to specify the context, and by the infinitive 'to' with a verb. Typical nouns modified include behavior, comment, joke, language, and clothing.