Seemly
adjective
Suitable, fitting or appropriate in a certain situation.
It's not seemly for a gentleman to talk loud in a museum.
Often appears as...
- seemly behavior
- seemly manner
adverb
In a fitting, suitable or decent way.
He behaved seemly throughout the event.
Often appears as...
- behave seemly
- act seemly
adjective
Suitable, fitting or appropriate in a certain situation.
It's not seemly for a gentleman to talk loud in a museum.
Often appears as...
- seemly behavior
- seemly manner
adverb
In a fitting, suitable or decent way.
He behaved seemly throughout the event.
Often appears as...
- behave seemly
- act seemly
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
Understanding what's fitting varies with different cultures and situations, not just universal standards.
Although loud cheering is seemly at sports events, it might not be in a ballet theater.
Pro Tip 2/3Social Settings
Use 'seemly' when discussing behavior in social situations which require a level of decorum or propriety.
At the formal dinner, her seemly attire was noted by all.
Pro Tip 3/3Ambiguity
'Seemly' can be subjective; what seems fitting to one might not to others. Use when the consensus is clear.
He found her jokes offensive, but the rest of the crowd thought they were perfectly seemly.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
Understanding what's fitting varies with different cultures and situations, not just universal standards.
Although loud cheering is seemly at sports events, it might not be in a ballet theater.
Pro Tip 2/3Social Settings
Use 'seemly' when discussing behavior in social situations which require a level of decorum or propriety.
At the formal dinner, her seemly attire was noted by all.
Pro Tip 3/3Ambiguity
'Seemly' can be subjective; what seems fitting to one might not to others. Use when the consensus is clear.
He found her jokes offensive, but the rest of the crowd thought they were perfectly seemly.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
Understanding what's fitting varies with different cultures and situations, not just universal standards.
Although loud cheering is seemly at sports events, it might not be in a ballet theater.
Pro Tip 2/3Social Settings
Use 'seemly' when discussing behavior in social situations which require a level of decorum or propriety.
At the formal dinner, her seemly attire was noted by all.
Pro Tip 3/3Ambiguity
'Seemly' can be subjective; what seems fitting to one might not to others. Use when the consensus is clear.
He found her jokes offensive, but the rest of the crowd thought they were perfectly seemly.
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Video examples
History vs. Cleopatra -...
the General Pompey sought refuge in Egypt but was executed by Cleopatra's brother instead." "Caesar must have liked that." "Actually, he found the murder unseemly and demanded repayment of Egypt's debt.
Video examples
How the pandemic will...
when faced with a common enemy, respond as one humanity, and instead you know, catalyze a really unseemly scramble between nations
Video examples
History vs. Cleopatra -...
the General Pompey sought refuge in Egypt but was executed by Cleopatra's brother instead." "Caesar must have liked that." "Actually, he found the murder unseemly and demanded repayment of Egypt's debt.
Video examples
How the pandemic will...
when faced with a common enemy, respond as one humanity, and instead you know, catalyze a really unseemly scramble between nations
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Bee Wilson
British Journalist
One of the rudest things you can do, food-wise, is to stare at someone in the act of eating. It draws attention to the unseemly fact that eating is a bodily function - like animals, we are trapped by our hungers, but we do our best to disguise them with such civilized props as menus and forks.
Quote examples
Fran Lebowitz
American Journalist
Very few people possess true artistic ability. It is therefore both unseemly and unproductive to irritate the situation by making an effort. If you have a burning, restless urge to write or paint, simply eat something sweet and the feeling will pass.
Quote examples
Ravi Shankar
Indian Musician
Everybody has a right to like or dislike anything or anyone. From a flower to a flavor to a book or a composition but it is very sad that in our country we actually fight over such things in an unseemly manner.
Quote examples
Thomas Edward Brown
British Poet
I must be free... free to do what I like, say what I like, write what I like, within the limits prescribed for me by my own sense of what is seemly and fitting.
Quote examples
Moliere
French Playwright
A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.
Quote examples
Claire McCaskill
American Politician
Somehow in the public sector, if you start in the mailroom and spend your life getting promoted, it's unseemly.
Quote examples
Meghan O'Rourke
American Poet
Hamlet' is a play about a man whose grief is deemed unseemly.
Quote examples
Horace
Roman Poet
It is a sweet and seemly thing to die for one's country.
Quote examples
Joan Collins
American Actress
It is unseemly to undress on stage. I won't do that.
Quote examples
Naguib Mahfouz
Egyptian Novelist
At my age it is unseemly to be pessimistic.
Quote examples
Bee Wilson
British Journalist
One of the rudest things you can do, food-wise, is to stare at someone in the act of eating. It draws attention to the unseemly fact that eating is a bodily function - like animals, we are trapped by our hungers, but we do our best to disguise them with such civilized props as menus and forks.
Quote examples
Fran Lebowitz
American Journalist
Very few people possess true artistic ability. It is therefore both unseemly and unproductive to irritate the situation by making an effort. If you have a burning, restless urge to write or paint, simply eat something sweet and the feeling will pass.
Quote examples
Ravi Shankar
Indian Musician
Everybody has a right to like or dislike anything or anyone. From a flower to a flavor to a book or a composition but it is very sad that in our country we actually fight over such things in an unseemly manner.
Quote examples
Thomas Edward Brown
British Poet
I must be free... free to do what I like, say what I like, write what I like, within the limits prescribed for me by my own sense of what is seemly and fitting.
Quote examples
Moliere
French Playwright
A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.
Quote examples
Claire McCaskill
American Politician
Somehow in the public sector, if you start in the mailroom and spend your life getting promoted, it's unseemly.
Quote examples
Meghan O'Rourke
American Poet
Hamlet' is a play about a man whose grief is deemed unseemly.
Quote examples
Horace
Roman Poet
It is a sweet and seemly thing to die for one's country.
Quote examples
Joan Collins
American Actress
It is unseemly to undress on stage. I won't do that.
Quote examples
Naguib Mahfouz
Egyptian Novelist
At my age it is unseemly to be pessimistic.
Example 1 of 10
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