Words / C1

impr-uh-PREYE-uh-tee/ˌɪmprəˈpraɪəti/

Impropriety is behaviour that is dishonest, indecent, or not suitable for the role: financial impropriety, a hint of impropriety. Misconduct is the close twin; a “collegial gift” in the lobby is still a register line.

Meaning

Behaviour that is dishonest, or not suitable for the situation (formal).

Examples

• “Access to packs before the hour is impropriety, not a styling note.”
• “A “collegial gift” in the lobby is impropriety until it is on the register.”
• “Misconduct is the close twin. Irregularity is the audit twin. A gift is a story. A dated entry is a file. Log the item; then call it collegial if the rule still allows it.”

Good to know

Unsuitable or dishonest conduct. Close: misconduct. A lobby gift ≠ a completed register.

Near in meaning

misconduct, irregularity

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