appropriate

To take or use something belonging to someone else as if it belongs to you.

• He appropriated money from the club.
• The company appropriated the artist’s design.
• You cannot appropriate someone else’s work and claim it as yours.

How to use it: appropriate something (The firm appropriated her design without permission.)

Similar words: take, seize, usurp

Common phrases: appropriate someone’s ideas, appropriate public funds, appropriate someone’s property, appropriate the credit

To officially set aside money or something else for a particular person or purpose.

• They appropriated money for repairs.
• The government has appropriated funds for new schools.
• Part of the land was appropriated for a park.

How to use it: appropriate something for something (The council appropriated funds for a new library.); appropriate something to something (A section of the land was appropriated to public use.)

Similar words: allocate, assign, earmark

Common phrases: appropriate funds, appropriate money, appropriate something for something

Right or suitable for a particular purpose, person, or situation.

• Wear appropriate shoes for walking.
• We chose a more appropriate time for the meeting.
• Is this film appropriate for children?

How to use it: appropriate for someone/something (This book is appropriate for young children.); appropriate to something (Choose language appropriate to your audience.); appropriate to do something (It is appropriate to ask questions at the end.)

Similar words: suitable, proper, fitting

Opposites: inappropriate, unsuitable

Common phrases: appropriate for someone, appropriate action, appropriate time, appropriate response

Acceptable and polite according to the rules of a social situation.

• Please use appropriate language.
• That joke was not appropriate at a funeral.
• She chose an outfit appropriate for the ceremony.

How to use it: appropriate for something (Such jokes are not appropriate for a formal dinner.); appropriate to do something (Is it appropriate to bring a guest?)

Similar words: proper, acceptable, respectful

Opposites: inappropriate, improper

Common phrases: appropriate behaviour, appropriate language, socially appropriate