inappropriate
UK/.inә'prәupriәt/US
TOEFLB2
Definitions
adj.
Not suitable or proper for a particular situation.
不适当的，不合适的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin-not, opposite of
+
ap-to, toward
+
-ateone's own, proper, suitable
=inappropriate
in- (not) + appropriate (fitting) = 'not fitting.' Built only on the adjective sense of appropriate — something that does not belong to or suit the situation.
Root prop still carries 10 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.inappropriate behavior不当行为
- 2.inappropriate comment不当言论
- 3.inappropriate content不当内容
- 4.wholly inappropriate完全不合适
Example Sentences
- 1.
His joke was completely inappropriate for a funeral.
- 2.
It would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing case.
- 3.
The software flagged the content as inappropriate for children.
Easily Confused
inappropriate vs improper — Both mean 'not fitting,' but inappropriate is about the situation (an inappropriate outfit for the weather) and is the broader everyday word. improper leans toward breaking rules or moral/social standards (improper conduct, an improper fraction). Wrong for the moment → inappropriate; against the rules → improper.