The difference between Proper and Sweeping

When used as adjectives, proper means suited or acceptable to the purpose or circumstances, whereas sweeping means wide, broad, affecting or touching upon many things.


Proper is also adverb with the meaning: properly.

Sweeping is also noun with the meaning: an instance of sweeping.

check bellow for the other definitions of Proper and Sweeping

  1. Proper as an adjective:

    Suitable. Suited or acceptable to the purpose or circumstances; fit, suitable. Following the established standards of behavior or manners; correct or decorous.

    Examples:

    "the proper time to plant potatoes"

    "a very proper young lady"

  2. Proper as an adjective:

    Possessed, related. Used to designate a particular person, place, or thing. Proper nouns are usually written with an initial capital letter. Pertaining exclusively to a specific thing or person; particular. In the strict sense; within the strict definition or core (of a specified place, taxonomic order, idea, etc). Belonging to oneself or itself; own. Portrayed in natural or usual coloration, as opposed to conventional tinctures. Being strictly part of some other (not necessarily explicitly mentioned, but of definitional importance) thing, and not being the thing itself. Eigen-; designating a function or value which is an eigenfunction or eigenvalue.

    Examples:

    "usex [[proper subset]] — [[proper ideal]]"

  3. Proper as an adjective:

    Accurate, strictly applied. Excellent, of high quality; such as the specific person or thing should ideally be. (Now often merged with later senses.) Attractive, elegant. In the very strictest sense of the word. Utter, complete.

    Examples:

    "Now that was a proper breakfast."

    "When I realized I was wearing my shirt inside out, I felt a proper fool."

  1. Proper as an adverb (UK, colloquial):

    properly; thoroughly; completely

  2. Proper as an adverb (nonstandard, colloquial):

    properly

  1. Sweeping as a verb:

  1. Sweeping as a noun (countable):

    An instance of sweeping.

    Examples:

    "The sidewalk needed a sweeping every morning."

  2. Sweeping as a noun (uncountable):

    The activity of sweeping.

    Examples:

    "Sweeping took all morning."

    "The sidewalk needed sweeping every morning."

  1. Sweeping as an adjective:

    wide, broad, affecting or touching upon many things

    Examples:

    "The government will bring in sweeping changes to the income tax system."

    "He loves making sweeping statements without the slightest evidence."

  2. Sweeping as an adjective:

    Completely overwhelming

    Examples:

    "He claimed a sweeping victory."