apropos
UK /ˌæp.ɹəˈpəʊ/ · US /ˌæp.ɹəˈpoʊ/ adjective, preposition, adverb, noun
Forms à propos
- adjective Of an appropriate or pertinent nature.
- adjective By the way, incidental.
- preposition Regarding, concerning, in regard to, on the subject of.
- adverb By the way.
- adverb Timely; at a good time.
- adverb To the purpose; appropriately.
- noun (obsolete) Fittingness, pertinence.
Synonyms
by the way incidentally incidental about as for seasonably timely well-timed by the bye
Antonyms
Etymology
Borrowed from French à propos (“on that subject”).
Similar in meaning and form, and to some extent etymology, to appropriate, but not a doublet of it.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Opportunely or opportune; seasonably or seasonable.
- adjective By the way; to the purpose; suitably to the place or subject; --a word used to introduce an incidental observation, suited to the occasion, though not strictly belonging to the narration.
Etymology [F. ad) + propos purpose, L. proposium plan, purpose, fr. proponere to propose. See Propound.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “apropos”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details