improper
1 adj Improper activities are illegal or dishonest.
FORMAL 25 officers were investigated following allegations of improper conduct during the murder inquiry...
♦
improperly adv ADV with v
I acted neither fraudulently nor improperly.
2 adj Improper conditions or methods of treatment are not suitable or good enough for a particular purpose.
FORMAL ADJ n
(=inappropriate)
The improper use of medicine could lead to severe adverse reactions.
♦
improperly adv ADV with v
The study confirmed many reports that doctors were improperly trained...
3 adj If you describe someone's behaviour as improper, you mean that it is rude or shocking.
OLD-FASHIONED, disapproval
(=indecent)
He would never be improper, he is always the perfect gentleman.