Appropriate vs. Apt — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Appropriate and Apt
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Compare with Definitions
Appropriate
Suitable for a particular person, condition, occasion, or place; fitting.
Apt
Exactly suitable; appropriate
An apt reply.
Appropriate
To set apart for a specific use
Appropriating funds for education.
Apt
Having a natural tendency; inclined
She is apt to take offense easily. See Usage Note at liable.
Appropriate
To take possession of or make use of exclusively for oneself, often without permission
My coworker appropriated my unread newspaper.
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Apt
Quick to learn or understand
An apt student.
Appropriate
Suitable or fit; proper.
The headmaster wondered what an appropriate measure would be to make the pupil behave better.
Apt
Suitable; appropriate; fit or fitted; suited.
An apt metaphor
Apt punishment
Appropriate
Suitable to the social situation or to social respect or social discreetness; socially correct; socially discreet; well-mannered; proper.
I don't think it was appropriate for the cashier to tell me out loud in front of all those people at the check-out that my hair-piece looked like it was falling out of place.
While it is not considered appropriate for a professor to date his student, there is no such concern once the semester has ended.
Apt
(of persons or things) Having a habitual tendency; habitually liable or likely; disposed towards.
Appropriate
(obsolete) Set apart for a particular use or person; reserved.
Apt
Ready; especially fitted or qualified (to do something); quick to learn.
A pupil apt to learn
An apt scholar
Appropriate
(transitive) To take to oneself; to claim or use, especially as by an exclusive right.
Let no man appropriate the use of a common benefit.
Apt
An apartment; a flat.
Appropriate
(transitive) To set apart for, or assign to, a particular person or use, especially in exclusion of all others; with to or for.
A spot of ground is appropriated for a garden.
To appropriate money for the increase of the navy
Apt
Fit or fitted; suited; suitable; appropriate.
They have always apt instruments.
A river . . . apt to be forded by a lamb.
Appropriate
To annex (for example a benefice, to a spiritual corporation, as its property).
Apt
Having an habitual tendency; habitually liable or likely; - used of things.
My vines and peaches . . . were apt to have a soot or smuttiness upon their leaves and fruit.
This tree, if unprotected, is apt to be stripped of the leaves by a leaf-cutting ant.
Appropriate
To make suitable to; to suit.
Apt
Inclined; disposed customarily; given; ready; - used of persons.
Apter to give than thou wit be to ask.
That lofty pity with which prosperous folk are apt to remember their grandfathers.
Appropriate
Set apart for a particular use or person. Hence: Belonging peculiarly; peculiar; suitable; fit; proper.
In its strict and appropriate meaning.
Appropriate acts of divine worship.
It is not at all times easy to find words appropriate to express our ideas.
Apt
Ready; especially fitted or qualified (to do something); quick to learn; prompt; expert; as, a pupil apt to learn; an apt scholar.
Live a thousand years,I shall not find myself so apt to die.
I find thee apt . . . Now, Hamlet, hear.
Appropriate
To take to one's self in exclusion of others; to claim or use as by an exclusive right; as, let no man appropriate the use of a common benefit.
Apt
To fit; to suit; to adapt.
That our speech be apted to edification.
Appropriate
To set apart for, or assign to, a particular person or use, in exclusion of all others; - with to or for; as, a spot of ground is appropriated for a garden; to appropriate money for the increase of the navy.
Apt
At risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant;
He is apt to lose
She is liable to forget
Appropriate
To make suitable; to suit.
Apt
Mentally quick and resourceful;
An apt pupil
You are a clever man...you reason well and your wit is bold
Appropriate
To annex, as a benefice, to a spiritual corporation, as its property.
Apt
(usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward;
He is apt to ignore matters he considers unimportant
I am not minded to answer any questions
Appropriate
A property; attribute.
Apt
Being of striking appropriateness and pertinence;
The successful copywriter is a master of apposite and evocative verbal images
An apt reply
Appropriate
Give or assign a share of money or time to a particular person or cause;
I will earmark this money for your research
Appropriate
Take possession of by force, as after an invasion;
The invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants
The army seized the town
The militia captured the castle
Appropriate
Suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc;
A book not appropriate for children
A funeral conducted the appropriate solemnity
It seems that an apology is appropriate
Appropriate
Appropriate for achieving a particular end; implies a lack of concern for fairness
Appropriate
Meant or adapted for an occasion or use;
A tractor suitable (or fit) for heavy duty
Not an appropriate (or fit) time for flippancy
Appropriate
Suitable and fitting;
The tailored clothes were harmonious with her military bearing
Appropriate
Being of striking appropriateness and pertinence;
The successful copywriter is a master of apposite and evocative verbal images
An apt reply
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