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Fit vs Suitable vs Meet vs Proper vs Appropriate vs Fitting vs Apt vs Happy vs Felicitous

Fit, suitablemeetproperappropriatefittingapthappyfelicitous are comparable when they mean right with respect to the nature, condition, circumstances, or use of the thing qualified.

Something is fit which is adapted or adaptable to the end in view, the use proposed, or the work to be done.

Sometimes, in addition, fit connotes competence or the possession of the required qualifications. Other times it suggests readiness (as in condition, state of health, mood, or inclination).

Something is suitable which answers the requirements or demands of the occasion, the circumstances, or the conditions or suggests no incongruity with them.

Something is meet which is not only suitable but nicely adapted to the particular situation, need, or circumstances; the word usually suggests rightness or justness rather than an absence of incongruity; thus, a punishment of a childish offense may be suitable if it is in accord with the years and mentality of the child, but it is not meet unless it suggests due proportion between the offense and its penalty.

Something is proper (see also DECOROUS ) which belongs to a thing on some justifiable grounds (as by nature, by custom, or by right reason). When, as often happens, fitness or suitability is stressed rather than natural or rightful association, proper then implies determination of fitness or suitability by logic, reasonableness, or good judgment.

Something is appropriate which is so eminently fit or suitable that it seems to belong peculiarly or distinctively to the person or thing with which it is associated, sometimes giving him or it a distinguishing grace or charm through its very congruity <an excitement in which we can discriminate two sorts of elements, the passions appropriate to the subject and the passion proper to the artist —Alexander >  <the eighteenth-century gentleman spoke with a refined accent, quoted the classics on appropriate occasions —Russell >  <we have agreed that our writing should be appropriate … that it should rise and fall with the subject, be grave where that is serious, where it is light not afraid of what Stevenson … calls “a little judicious levity” —Quiller-Couch >

Something is fitting which is in harmony with the spirit, the tone, the mood, or the purpose.

Something is apt (see also APT 2 ); (see also QUICK 2 ) which is nicely fitted by its nature or construction to attain the end desired, to accomplish the purpose in view, or to achieve the results contemplated.

Something is happy (see also GLAD ), (see also LUCKY ) which is singularly appropriate and apt and therefore brilliantly successful or effective considered in its relation to the situation, the conditions, or other important factors.

Something is felicitous which is most opportunely, tellingly, or gracefully happy.