adjective
Common
inappropriate
ih-nuh-PROHP-ree-uht
Inappropriate (adjective) means not suitable or fitting for the particular situation, time, or place. Example: “Her comments were inappropriate for a classroom full of young children.”
adjective
1
Not suitable or fitting for the particular situation, time, or place.
"It is inappropriate to burp at a formal dinner."
"Her comments were inappropriate for a classroom full of young children."
"The violent movie is inappropriate for school."
"Cracking jokes at a funeral is clearly inappropriate."
"He wore inappropriate clothing for the formal dinner."
How to use inappropriate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot right for the occasion — out of place or unsuitable.
When to use it
Often used as a polite way to describe behaviour that's actually offensive or sexual in nature.
Common pairings
inappropriate behaviour
inappropriate comment
wildly inappropriate
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more inappropriate
- Superlative
- most inappropriate
Fill the gap
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Her comments were _____ for a classroom full of young children.
Etymology
From in- plus appropriate.
Synonyms
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unbecoming
unfitting
incongruous
tactless
undue
indecorous
improper
inadequate
out of line
out of place
unfit
unseemly
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inappropriate
See all rhymes for inappropriate →Frequently asked questions
What does “inappropriate” mean?
The word “inappropriate” means not suitable or fitting for the particular situation, time, or place. In plain terms, not right for the occasion — out of place or unsuitable.
How do you pronounce “inappropriate”?
“Inappropriate” is pronounced ih-nuh-PROHP-ree-uht (/ˌɪnəˈpɹoʊpɹi.ət/ in IPA).
How do you use “inappropriate” in a sentence?
Here is “inappropriate” used in a sentence: “Cracking jokes at a funeral is clearly inappropriate.”
What is another word for “inappropriate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “inappropriate” include improper, inadequate, out of line, out of place, unfit and unseemly.
What part of speech is “inappropriate”?
“Inappropriate” is an adjective.
Is “inappropriate” a common word?
“Inappropriate” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between inappropriate and unacceptable?
'Inappropriate' means not suitable for a particular situation, time, or place, while 'unacceptable' means something cannot be allowed or tolerated at all. Behaviour can be inappropriate without being fully unacceptable, though serious cases are often both.
What is the difference between inappropriate and improper?
The two overlap, but 'improper' often suggests breaking a rule of correctness or etiquette, while 'inappropriate' focuses on simply not fitting the specific context. A comment can be inappropriate for a meeting yet not technically improper.
What prepositions are used with inappropriate?
'Inappropriate' is usually followed by 'for', as in 'inappropriate for the occasion', or 'to', as in 'inappropriate to the setting'. Both indicate what the thing is unsuited to.
Is inappropriate a formal word?
'Inappropriate' is neutral to formal and appears widely in professional, educational, and legal contexts. In casual speech, phrases like 'out of place', 'not okay', or 'uncalled for' often replace it.
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