noun

properties

PROP-ur-teez

Properties (noun) means the qualities or characteristics that belong to something and help define what it is or how it behaves. Example: “Copper's properties make it the obvious choice for wiring.”

noun

The qualities or characteristics that belong to something and help define what it is or how it behaves.

"Copper's properties make it the obvious choice for wiring."

"The physical properties of the sample changed once it was heated."

Buildings and land owned by someone, especially when held as investments or offered for sale or rent.

"The company owns forty properties across the north of England."

"She viewed three properties in one afternoon."

In computing, the settings and values attached to a file, object or element, usually viewed or edited in a panel of that name.

"Right-click the file and choose Properties to see its size and permissions."

In theatre and film, the movable objects handled by actors on stage or set; usually shortened to props.

"The properties department could not source a period telephone."

How to Use Properties

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe qualities something has, or the buildings someone owns.

When to use it

Neutral in all senses; which one is meant is almost always clear from context.

Memory tip

Property meaning 'things owned' is uncountable — 'he lost all his property'. Properties as a plural means separate buildings or separate qualities.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

property → proprieties attributes

Common pairings

physical properties chemical properties commercial properties rental properties file properties

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Test yourself on “properties” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Copper's _____ make it the obvious choice for wiring.

Etymology

Plural of property, from Old French propriete, from Latin proprietas meaning 'ownership' or 'a distinctive quality', from proprius meaning 'one's own'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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characteristics attributes qualities features traits real estate holdings premises estates settings metadata props

Related Words

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Rhymes for properties

lies Dies flies Aries Fries duties series ladies rabies undies Davies movies

See all rhymes for properties →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between physical and chemical properties?

Physical properties can be observed or measured without changing what the substance is — colour, density, melting point, conductivity. Chemical properties describe how a substance reacts and turns into something else, such as flammability or how readily it corrodes.

What is the difference between property and properties?

Property is uncountable when it means possessions or ownership in general: 'damage to property'. Properties is the plural you use for individual buildings and plots, or for separate characteristics of a substance.

What is the difference between properties and proprieties?

Properties are qualities or possessions. Proprieties, a much rarer word, means the accepted standards of correct behaviour — 'observing the proprieties'. They are unrelated in meaning despite the shared Latin root.

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