Appropriate
/əˈproʊ.pri.ət/
Appropriate can mean either something that is suitable for a given situation, or the act of taking something for one's own use, often without permission.
Examples
- Congress must appropriate the necessary money each year.
- The film was accused of appropriating cultural symbols.
- She wore an appropriate outfit for the job interview.
- The government appropriated funds for disaster relief.
- Is this music appropriate for children?
Meanings
Derived from the Latin appropiare, a combination of ad- (to) and proprius (one's own). It entered Middle English via Old French apropriat, originally meaning 'set apart for a specific use'. Over time, it evolved to mean 'suitable' or 'fitting'.
Examples
- She wore an appropriate outfit for the job interview.
- Is this music appropriate for children?
- He did not make any appropriate comments during the meeting.
- They failed to take appropriate action after the warning.
- An appropriated budget was allocated to the project.
The verb sense comes from the same Latin root. In the 16th century, English began using 'appropriate' as a verb meaning 'to take possession of'. This usage was reinforced in legal language, especially in contexts like government budgeting or land seizure.
Examples
- The government appropriated funds for disaster relief.
- Critics accused the company of appropriating indigenous designs.
- They appropriated the building without legal authority.
- Congress must appropriate the necessary money each year.
- The film was accused of appropriating cultural symbols.