seemly

[ seem-lee ]

adjective

, seem·li·er, seem·li·est.

1. fitting or becoming with respect to propriety or good taste; decent; decorous:

   Your outburst of rage was hardly seemly.

   Synonyms: meet, appropriate, proper, right

2. suitable or appropriate; fitting:

   a seemly gesture.

   Synonyms: meet, appropriate, proper, right

3. of pleasing appearance; handsome.

adverb

1. in a seemly manner; fittingly; becomingly.

seemly

/ ˈsiːmlɪ /

adjective

1. proper or fitting
2. obsolete.
   pleasing or handsome in appearance

adverb

1. archaic.
   properly or decorously

Derived Forms

• ˈseemliness, noun

Other Words From

• seemli·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of seemly¹

1175–1225; Middle English semely < Old Norse sæmiligr honorable; derivative of sœmr ( seem )

Word History and Origins

Origin of seemly¹

C13: from Old Norse sœomiligr, from sœmr befitting

Example Sentences

I’ll just say that in this time of seemly intractable divisions in our country, when we as a nation seem to have lost track of the simple truth that we are all in this together, it is profoundly sobering to engage with individuals from very different backgrounds than your own, individuals who, in Lincoln’s words, “gave the last full measure of devotion.”

From Seattle Times

In court papers, state prison officials indicated their prospects for buying the drugs started to change as soon as it seemly likely lawmakers would pass the shield law.

From Seattle Times

Another reason for the third-party coaching suggestion: Identifying and mentoring talented junior employees is valuable, but being deeply invested in one employee’s potential to the exclusion of others can create a perception of favoritism or something less seemly, especially if it involves unsolicited coaching on personal habits and presentation.

From Washington Post

"Whether it's technically extortion, whether it is some other misconduct, nothing about this is seemly for a former president," she said.

From Salon

The ambitions of most of the GOP’s presidential aspirants are larger than any executive experiences that might make their ambitions more seemly.

From Washington Post