apropos

Imagine you're telling a story about a rainy day, and someone chimes in with a comment about needing an umbrella. That comment is apropos—perfectly relevant to the conversation. The word comes from the French à propos, meaning "to the point" or "with regard to." It's not just about being on topic; it suggests something is especially well-suited or fitting for the situation at hand. You might say a witty remark was apropos, or that a certain outfit is apropos for a formal event. Think of it as hitting the nail right on the head, but with a touch more elegance.

The word apropos (often pronounced ap-ruh-POH) has a fascinating history and a surprisingly versatile meaning. Borrowed from the French à propos ("to the point" / "with regard to"), it describes something that is relevant, suitable, or appropriate to the current context. It's more than just being on topic; it implies a particular fittingness—sometimes even a hint of cleverness—in its relevance.

You might use apropos when commenting on timing: "His arrival was apropos, as we were just discussing him." Or you could describe a remark as apropos: "Her witty observation was perfectly apropos." It suggests a certain grace in recognizing what's fitting in the moment.

In the phrase apropos of, it functions like a preposition: "apropos of the election" means "regarding the election" or "with reference to the election." You may also see Apropos, used at the start of a sentence to mean "speaking of which" or "by the way": "Apropos, did you ever hear back from her?"

A common idiom is "apropos of nothing," which refers to a comment made out of the blue, with no connection to what was just said. This usage is quirky but adds to the word's charm, signaling a sudden, unconnected shift in conversation.

While not an everyday word, apropos adds sophistication and nuance when you want to convey that something is particularly well-suited or relevant to the moment. It's like a perfectly placed punctuation mark in a conversation—adding clarity and style.