What does 'proper' mean as British slang?

What it means in slang: Real, genuine, thorough, or very. "A proper meal" = a real, substantial meal (not a snack). "Proper good" = very good. It emphasises authenticity and completeness.

Two distinct uses:

1. As an adjective meaning "real/genuine": "I haven't had a proper holiday in years." (A real holiday, not a weekend trip.) "That was a proper conversation." (A real, substantial one.)

1. As an intensifier (informal, Northern English especially): "That's proper good." "She was proper upset." This is common in Northern English dialects and means "very" or "really."

The formal meaning: "Proper" also means correct, appropriate, or respectable - "the proper way to do this," "it's only proper that you apologise." This is the standard dictionary meaning and the one you'd use in formal writing.

• "Now that's a proper pint." (A good, genuine one)
• "She gave him a proper telling off." (A serious, thorough one)
• "Proper job!" (Cornish/Westcountry expression for "well done")

Register: The slang use is informal and regional. The formal use ("proper procedure") is appropriate anywhere.

Tags: British English, slang, intensifiers, dialect, informal