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Conformity vs Propriety - What's the difference?

conformity | propriety |

As nouns the difference between conformity and propriety

is that conformity is state of things being similar or identical while propriety is the particular character or essence of someone or something; individuality.

conformity

English

Noun

  • State of things being similar or identical.
  • A point of resemblance; a similarity.
  • State of being conforming, of complying with a set of rules, with a norm or standard.
  • The ideology of adhering to one standard or social uniformity.
    • How far should one accept the rules of the society in which one lives? To put it another way: at what point does conformity become corruption? Only by answering such questions does the conscience truly define itself. -

    Usage notes

    * Sometimes used interchangeably with conformation.

    References

    *

    Synonyms

    * conformance

    Antonyms

    * nonconformity

    Related terms

    * conform * conformance * conformism

    propriety

    English

    Noun

  • (obsolete) The particular character or essence of someone or something; individuality.
  • (obsolete) A characteristic; an attribute.
  • (obsolete) More generally, something owned by someone; a possession.
  • * 1723 , Charles Walker, Memoirs of the Life of Sally Salisbury :
    • I was fearful of giving You a very sensible Disgust, in making You'' seem the ''Propriety'' of ''one Man'', when You know Yourself ''ordained'' for the Comfort and Refreshment of ''Multitudes .
  • The fact of possessing something; ownership.
  • Suitability, fitness; the quality of being appropriate.
  • * 1773 ,
    • I find such a pleasure, sir, in obeying your commands, that I take care to observe them without ever debating their propriety .
  • * 1850 ,
    • Now, if we may, with propriety', refer to the people one question, why may we not, with equal ' propriety , refer another?
  • Correctness in behaviour and morals; good manners, seemliness.
  • * 1811 , (Jane Austen), :
    • Elinor then ventured to doubt the propriety of her receiving such a present from a man so little, or at least so lately known to her.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=May 27 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992) , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=The neighbor is eventually able to sell her home despite Homer’s pants-less affronts to propriety and decency and Bart falls deeply and instantly for one of its new inhabitants, a tough but charming and funny tomboy girl named Laura (voiced by Sara Gilbert) with just the right combination of toughness and sweetness, granite and honey.}}

    Related terms

    * proper

    References

    * "Propriety" at Dictionary.com