Propriety – Conformity to established standards of good behaviour or morals

(Pronounced pruh-pry-uh-tee)

To remember the definition of the word propriety, use the following mnemonic:

He proposed while riding through the city (propriety) on a carriage. He managed to get down on one knee, since he wanted to conform to the established standards of good behaviour. 

Examples of propriety in a sentence

After Gerald wore a clown outfit to his brother’s funeral, we questioned his sense of propriety.

Propriety means very little to a teenage boy whose sole purpose in life is to impress his friends by doing stupid stunts.

The way tourists dress can sometimes go against the local standards of propriety.