appropriation
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
The act of taking something, usually money or resources, for one's own use, especially without permission or for a specific purpose.
A sum of money formally set aside for a particular purpose; or the artistic or cultural adoption and reuse of elements from another culture, work, or style.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term spans neutral/administrative (budget allocation), negative/legal (taking without consent), and complex socio-cultural (art, identity) contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and usage are largely identical. Slight preference for 'appropriation' in formal legal/budgetary contexts in the US; cultural theory usage is equally common in both.
Connotations
Primarily negative in legal contexts (misuse of funds), neutral in budgetary contexts, and academically/socially charged in cultural contexts.
Frequency
More frequent in American media discussions of cultural appropriation. Equally common in UK/US formal finance and governance.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
appropriation of [funds/culture/style]appropriation for [purpose/project]appropriation by [entity/person]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A cultural appropriation”
- “A misappropriation of funds”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board approved the appropriation of £2 million for the new research facility.
Academic
Her thesis examines the colonial appropriation of indigenous art forms in the 19th century.
Everyday
There's been some controversy about the artist's appropriation of traditional symbols in his latest work.
Technical
The software update required a re-appropriation of system memory to prioritise security protocols.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council will appropriate funds for flood defences.
- The artist was accused of appropriating sacred motifs.
American English
- Congress appropriated $5 billion for infrastructure.
- The film appropriates visual styles from 1970s cinema.
adverb
British English
- The money was used appropriatively for the intended project.
- He works appropriatively, borrowing from various traditions.
American English
- Resources were distributed appropriatively among departments.
- She writes appropriatively, drawing on multiple literary heritages.
adjective
British English
- The appropriated sum was insufficient.
- This is an appropriated cultural practice.
American English
- The appropriated funds arrived late.
- His style is a blend of appropriated elements.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The government made an appropriation for school repairs.
- Using another culture's clothing can sometimes be called appropriation.
- The cultural appropriation debate centres on power and respect.
- The annual budget includes a large appropriation for healthcare.
- The misappropriation of charity funds led to a criminal investigation.
- Postcolonial theorists often critique the appropriation of indigenous narratives by Western authors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of APPropriation: taking something for your own APProved purpose, or taking an APP from another phone without asking.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE FLUIDS TO BE CHANNELED (budgetary); IDEAS/CULTURE ARE COMMODITIES TO BE ACQUIRED (cultural).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'appropriateness' (уместность).
- Not always negative like 'присвоение' – can be neutral 'выделение средств'.
- Beware of false friend 'апроприация' – rarely used in Russian; better use 'заимствование' or 'выделение'.
- 'Cultural appropriation' is a fixed term; avoid translating it as 'культурное присвоение' without context, as it's a specific socio-cultural concept.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'appropriation' to mean 'appropriate behaviour' (confusion with adjective).
- Misspelling as 'apropriation' (single 'p').
- Using it in a positive sense for cultural exchange without understanding its critical connotations.
- Confusing 'appropriation' (noun) with 'appropriate' (verb or adjective) in sentence structure.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'appropriation' MOST likely to have a neutral or positive connotation?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In formal budgetary/administrative contexts, it is neutral (e.g., 'congressional appropriation'). It becomes negative in legal contexts ('misappropriation') and is critically charged in socio-cultural discussions ('cultural appropriation').
'Appropriation' is the neutral act of setting aside or taking for use. 'Misappropriation' specifically implies dishonest, illegal, or unauthorised use, especially of funds.
Yes, the related verb is 'appropriate' (stress on second syllable: /əˈprəʊ.pri.eɪt/). The noun 'appropriation' derives from this verb.
It involves the adoption of elements from a minority culture by members of a dominant culture, often without permission, understanding, or respect, and can involve power imbalances, stereotyping, and the stripping of original meaning, leading to accusations of exploitation.