proprietary
pruh-PRY-uh-ter-ee
/prəˈpraɪəˌtɛri/
Relating to an owner or ownership; specifically, protected by secrecy or patent and not available for general use.
In tech, 'proprietary' often refers to 'closed' systems (like Apple's iOS) as opposed to 'open-source' systems (like Linux).
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'proprius', meaning 'one's own'. It shares a root with 'proper', suggesting that something proprietary is 'properly' belonging to only one person.
Word relationships
- exclusive: Exclusive means restricted to a certain group; proprietary means owned by a specific person or entity.
- patented: Patented is a legal status; proprietary is a broader term for owned/controlled assets.
- open-source: Open-source software is free for anyone to use and modify, the opposite of proprietary.
Commonly confused with
- property: Property is the thing owned; proprietary is the quality of being owned or related to an owner.
Word family
- proprietor (noun): The owner of a business.
- proprietorship (noun): The state of being a proprietor.
Collocations
- proprietary technology
- proprietary information
- proprietary software
- proprietary rights
Example sentences
- "The company uses proprietary software that is not compatible with other systems." Software
- "The secret blend of herbs and spices is proprietary information." Business Secrets
Memory hook
'Proprietary' sounds like 'Property'. It's my property! Owned and kept secret.
When not to use
Do not use it to simply mean 'expensive'; it specifically refers to the legal or technical control of an asset.
Fun facts
- The term 'proprietary medicine' used to refer to 'patent medicines' sold in the 19th century, often with secret (and sometimes dangerous) ingredients.
Explore more words
intellectual property, patent, Property, monopoly, communal, Properties
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