proprement

properly, strictly speaking

adverb prop-ruh-MAHN Rare

Also means

cleanly, neatly

Usage Note

Proprement has two common senses: literally 'cleanly' (manger proprement = to eat neatly), and in the phrase proprement dit or à proprement parler, meaning 'strictly speaking' or 'in the true sense of the word'. The latter usage is very common in formal French writing and argumentation.

Examples

"À proprement parler, ce n'est pas un mensonge."

Natural Translation

Strictly speaking, it is not a lie.

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