To take to oneself; to claim or use, especially as by an exclusive right.
appropriate — Definition and meaning
• To set apart for, or assign to, a particular person or use, especially in exclusion of all others; with to or for.
• To annex (for example a benefice, to a spiritual corporation, as its property).
• To make suitable to; to suit.
(Adjective) Suitable or fit; proper; felicitous.
• Suitable to the social situation or to social respect or social discreetness; socially correct; socially discreet; well-mannered; proper.
• Set apart for a particular use or person; reserved.
• Of an action or thing: morally good; positive.
• Of an action or thing: pleasant.
The importance of appropriate
appropriate appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
How appropriate is applied
In practice, appropriate is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.