Apropos for Dummies

Apropos can mean a few different things, but let's break it down into its different definitions. Are you ready? Okay, here we go!

So, the first definition is when we use "apropos" to mean something that is relevant or apt for a particular situation or circumstance. It's like when you wear warm clothes on a cold winter day - those clothes are apropos for keeping you cozy and comfortable. It just means that something is perfect or fitting for a specific purpose or occasion. Can you think of any examples when something has been apropos in your life?

The second definition of "apropos" is when we use it in a conversation or in writing to introduce or talk about something that is related to what we were just talking about. It's kind of like saying, "Speaking of that..." or "By the way..." For example, if we were talking about your favorite animal and I said, "Apropos of animals, did you know that elephants have really long trunks?" Do you see how the word "apropos" there is used to connect our conversation about animals with the fact about elephants?

Now, let's use an analogy to help make it even clearer. Imagine you're at a picnic with your friends, and you have a delicious sandwich that you made yourself. If one of your friends says, "Apropos of your sandwich, do you have any extra chips?" they are connecting the topic of your sandwich with their request for chips. They are saying that their request is related to or "on topic" with the sandwich you have. It's kind of like when you're playing a game and you have to stay on the same topic - "apropos" is like a way to keep the conversation flowing smoothly.

So, to sum it all up, "apropos" means something that is relevant, fitting, or connected to a particular situation or topic. It's a word we use to describe things that make sense in a certain context or things that relate to what we were just talking about. Remember, it's all about being appropriate and on the right topic in the right time and place. Does that make sense now? Feel free to ask any more questions if you're still unsure!