seemly — appearing to be appropriate, proper, or fitting for the circumstances
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: appearing to be appropriate, proper, or fitting for the circumstances
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsiːmli/
Example Sentences
- The teacher found it not seemly to gossip about students in the faculty lounge.
- Wearing flip-flops to a job interview is hardly seemly, unless you're applying to be a lifeguard.
- It's not seemly for a judge to text during court proceedings.
seemly
ADJECTIVE[/ˈsiːmli/]
appearing to be appropriate, proper, or fitting for the circumstances
At the royal banquet, her seemly manners impressed every noble at the table.
Gazing dreamily while sitting supremely seemly.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old Norse 'seemligr' meaning 'fitting' or 'becoming,' related to the verb 'seem.' The word entered Middle English through Scandinavian influence during the Viking period.
Breakdown
seem (to be fitting) + -ly (adjective suffix meaning 'having the quality of') = seemly (appearing appropriate or fitting)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher found it not seemly to gossip about students in the faculty lounge.”
“Wearing flip-flops to a job interview is hardly seemly, unless you're applying to be a lifeguard.”
“It's not seemly for a judge to text during court proceedings.”
“My grandmother always said it wasn't seemly to eat pizza with a fork, but she changed her mind after trying deep-dish Chicago style.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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