adj
apropos
ap-ruh-POH
Apropos (adj) means fitting or relevant to the situation at hand. Example: “His comment was apropos, given the topic of discussion.”
adj
1
Fitting or relevant to the situation at hand.
"His comment was apropos, given the topic of discussion."
prep
1
Regarding; concerning.
"Few have the same root and branch obsession with the recent past or the avenger’s recall (‘the necessity for long memory and sarcasm in argument’, as he wrote apropos the old left intelligentsia in New York)."
— Jeremy Harding, Diary (2011)
"Apropos of your question, I found some useful data."
""Go on, Uncle Max," said Nora pleasantly. "I like to watch your exceptional mind at work. Apropos the disappearance of Geoffrey, and that big old lonely house, you were saying—?""
— Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London (1934)
How to use apropos
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMeans "relevant" or "on the subject of," and is often used as "apropos of" to introduce a related comment.
When to use it
A fairly formal or literary word — more common in writing than everyday speech.
Common pairings
apropos of nothing
apropos of your comment
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more apropos
- Superlative
- most apropos
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His comment was _____, given the topic of discussion.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from French à propos, literally "to the purpose."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “apropos” mean?
The word “apropos” means fitting or relevant to the situation at hand. In plain terms, means "relevant" or "on the subject of," and is often used as "apropos of" to introduce a related comment.
How do you pronounce “apropos”?
“Apropos” is pronounced ap-ruh-POH (/ˌæp.ɹəˈpoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “apropos” in a sentence?
Here is “apropos” used in a sentence: “His comment was apropos, given the topic of discussion.”
What is the opposite of “apropos”?
The opposite of “apropos” — its antonyms — is malapropos.
What part of speech is “apropos”?
Depending on how it is used, “apropos” can be an adjective and a preposition.
Where does the word “apropos” come from?
The word “apropos” comes from French. Borrowed directly from French à propos, literally "to the purpose.".
How many meanings does “apropos” have?
“Apropos” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: fitting or relevant to the situation at hand.
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