different between mistaken vs improper

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /m?s?te?k?n/
• Rhymes: -e?k?n

Verb

mistaken

1. past participle of mistake

   I'm frequently mistaken for my brother.

Adjective

mistaken (comparative more mistaken, superlative most mistaken)

1. Erroneous.

   A mistaken sense of loyalty.

2. (with a copula verb, often with about) Having an incorrect belief.

   I think you must be mistaken.

   He admitted he was mistaken about the budget numbers.

Usage notes

• The phrase if I'm not mistaken (and variations) is used to indicate that one is uncertain about something one has said.
• Nouns to which mistaken is often applied: identity, belief, notion, view, assumption, impression, idea, thinking, identification, diagnosis, interpretation, person, opinion, conclusion, judgment, conception, perception, theory, reading, concept.

Derived terms

• mistaken identity

Translations

Anagrams

• mankiest

English

Alternative forms

• impropre (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle French impropre, from Latin improprius (“not proper”), from in- + proprius (“proper”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?m?p??p.?/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /?m?p??p.?/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?m?p??.p?/
• Rhymes: -?p?(?)

Adjective

improper (comparative more improper, superlative most improper)

1. unsuitable to needs or circumstances; inappropriate; inapt
2. Not in keeping with conventional mores or good manners; indecent or immodest
3. Not according to facts; inaccurate or erroneous
4. Not consistent with established facts; incorrect
5. Not properly named; See, for example, improper fraction
6. (obsolete) Not specific or appropriate to individuals; general; common.
   • 1608, John Fletcher The Faithful Shepherdess

     Not to be adorned with any art but such improper ones as nature is said to bestow, as singing and poetry.

Synonyms

• unproper (obsolete or rare)

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

improper (third-person singular simple present impropers, present participle impropering, simple past and past participle impropered)

1. (obsolete, transitive) To appropriate; to limit.
   • 1565, John Jewel, letter to Thomas Harding

     He would in like manner improper and inclose the sunbeams to comfort the rich and not the poor.

2. (obsolete) To behave improperly

Anagrams

• impropre