Apropos

preposition

  • In reference to someone or something previously stated
  • Displaying relevance or pertinence to another time, place, person, event, or idea

adjective

  • Referring to someone or something that is relative or related to a certain subject

adverb

  • Concerning an action, state, or description that contains qualities of timeliness or usefulness

noun (obsolete)

  • Signifying an event or incident that is of a fitting or favorable nature

Usage

In its most common context, the preposition (or prepositional phrase) apropos (of) describes something as being "about" or "concerning" a particular topic or idea. Often, this word behaves as a connector between two related ideas that act as complements or even opposites of one another. In general, apropos is followed by the preposition "of;" however, it is not a necessary addition, such as in the sentence "Apropos the documentary on Tolstoy, the researcher began a discussion on how the famous author used his experience in the Crimean War as fodder for some of his works." Using apropos (of) is also a good way to refer to an event that has since passed in order to make it relevant again. For instance, a sports enthusiast may use the term to harken back to a classic Winter Olympics during a conversation about bobsledding. Conversely, though, apropos (of) can even be used to refer to something that is completely irrelevant to the present or to previous circumstances. For example, you may think that, while standing in line to go sledding, your brother kept crying apropos of nothing. In this case, two subjects are still being linked by apropos, however: the tears, as far as you are concerned, are not related to anything.

The word apropos, when used as an adjective, refers to someone or something that is considered generally appropriate or relevant under given circumstances. The object or idea that is being described as apropos has something to do with the activities at hand, making it a fitting and welcome addition to the event(s). Although some might believe that the meanings of both the preposition and adjective of this word are unrelated because of their different uses, one can see how "concerning" or "in regard to" has evolved into a description of something that concerns or regards the previous or current conditions, as does the adjectival form. For instance, a student in class may make an apropos comment regarding a teacher's lecture. The educator would undoubtedly become excited by this act, for he knows how difficult it can be to keep pupils engaged and on task.

As an adverb, apropos shares aspects of both the preposition and adjective forms. When used to clarify a verb, apropos takes on the meaning of "suitably" or "timely." Weather reports of a blizzard might have aired apropos if your mother became aware of the conditions before she ventured out for groceries. In this case, the news concerning bad weather arrived just on time. In another sense (that is slowly growing obsolete), this adverb could be used to segue into a different, or unrelated, matter. During a Russian language class your friend could distract her native instructor by saying something like this, " Apropos, do you know how to ski?" Translated as "by the way" or even "before I forget", this usage works to change the subject at hand by seemingly trying to connect the ideas but, more often that not, failing to do so. Much like the prepositional phrase "apropos of nothing", this dying form relates one thing to another by showing that they have absolutely nothing in common.

***Alternative spellings of apropos include a propos and á propos.

Example: Liza began to cry apropos of the fortune teller's gloomy prediction of the rest of her life.

Example: After realizing that the Winter Olympics has been around for 92 years, Ken asked, apropos of the 1960 Games, if we had ever heard of the Alpine skier Juan Vuarnet?

Example: Although everyone believed him to be delusional, Fyodor Karamazov's heretical outbursts about the hypocrisies of monastic life were actually quite apropos.

Example: Some may think the highway closure was inconvenient, but I believe it was closed apropos; the freezing ice would have caused innumerable accidents!

Origin

The origin of apropos comes from the French á propos, which is translated as "to the purpose (of)." This romance language had originally taken the phrase from the Latin verb "proponere" meaning "to set forth," which is still a part of the word's meaning today in that a person often proposes an additional remark that is appropriate for the conversation. As an adjective, apropos carries the meaning of its French counterpart, although in many cases (i.e. adverbial form) it seems that the denotation has expanded to include "applicable," which is, nevertheless, related to the original. We can see apropos taking on its modern form and understanding as early as the late 17th century.

In Literature

From Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime & Punishment:

"And apropos of the miracle let me tell you that I think you have been asleep for the last two or three days. I told you of this tavern myself, there is no miracle in your coming straight here."

In this quote by Svidrigailov, he is in the middle of explaining why Raskolnikov's surprise meeting with him was not as miraculous as it had seemed. After previously asking Raskolnikov if the encounter was miraculous, Svidrigailov continues by relating this new information in order to shed some light on the subject. So, in this case, Raskolnikov's slumber was, in fact, relevant to the discussion; he had forgotten that Svidrigailov had already spoken of the tavern.

Mnemonic

  • Apropos of van Gogh, that scene looks like snow.

Bring out the linguist in you! What is your own interpretation of apropos. Did you use apropos in a game? Provide an example sentence or a literary quote.