Proper

Proper (adverb / adjective / UK Slang)

(Also heard as: Proper good, Proper job, Proper tired)

Definition:

Proper is a British intensifier meaning very, really or genuine. “Proper good” means very good. “A proper cuppa” means a real, strong cup of tea. “A proper job” means something done well. It adds emphasis in a down-to-earth, no-nonsense way.

Where Proper Comes From:

The word comes from the Latin “proprius”, meaning one’s own, and in English it has long meant correct or suitable. Using it as an intensifier, as in “proper tired”, developed in British dialect, especially in the West Country, the Midlands and the north, and is now common across the UK.

How People Actually Use Proper:

It works in many ways: “that was proper funny”, “she is a proper legend”, “it is proper cold”. As an adjective it means genuine: “I want a proper holiday”. In the West Country, “proper job!” is a well-known cheer for a job well done.

Is Proper Slang or Standard English?

Both. The standard meaning is correct or suitable, but the intensifier use is informal, so it fits conversation better than formal writing.

Examples in the Wild:

• “That was a proper good film.”

  Meaning: It was really good.

• “I need a proper cuppa.”

  Meaning: I want a real, strong cup of tea.

• “He is proper tired after work.”

  Meaning: He is very tired.

Similar Slang:

Bare, Nuff, Hella, Lowkey, Cuppa, Mint

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