seamy — sordid, corrupt, or morally degraded; involving the unpleasant or disreputable aspects of something
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: sordid, corrupt, or morally degraded; involving the unpleasant or disreputable aspects of something
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsiːmi/
Example Sentences
- Behind the glamorous facade, the entertainment industry has a seamy side.
- The politician tried to hide his seamy past during the campaign.
- My grandmother warned me about the seamy characters hanging around the pool hall.
seamy
ADJECTIVE[/ˈsiːmi/]
sordid, corrupt, or morally degraded; involving the unpleasant or disreputable aspects of something
The detective walks through the seamy back alley where crime thrives after midnight.
In the steamy shadows, dreamy illusions fade to reveal the seamy truth
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the noun 'seam' (a line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together) combined with the adjective suffix '-y'. The metaphorical sense developed from the idea of the seams of a garment showing wear, decline, or deterioration, extending to describe morally degraded or sordid conditions.
Breakdown
seam (line of stitching in fabric) + -y (adjective suffix meaning 'having the quality of') = seamy (showing the worn or disreputable side, like the rough underside of seams)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Behind the glamorous facade, the entertainment industry has a seamy side.”
“The politician tried to hide his seamy past during the campaign.”
“My grandmother warned me about the seamy characters hanging around the pool hall.”
“The novel reveals the seamy truth about high society.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
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