seemly

[seem-lee]

See more synonyms for seemly on Thesaurus.com

adjective, seem·li·er, seem·li·est.

fitting or becoming with respect to propriety or good taste; decent; decorous: Your outburst of rage was hardly seemly.
suitable or appropriate; fitting: a seemly gesture.
of pleasing appearance; handsome.

adverb

in a seemly manner; fittingly; becomingly.

Origin of seemly

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

Related formsseem·li·ness, noun

Synonyms for seemly

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1, 2. right, proper, appropriate, meet.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for seemly

becoming, befitting, compatible, conforming, congenial, congruous, consistent, consonant, correct, decent, decorous, fit, fitting, meet, nice, pleasing, proper, suited, timely

Examples from the Web for seemly

Historical Examples of seemly

More than a bare recital of the wretched facts, therefore, is not seemly.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
The kindliness of her heart and her desire for the seemly joys of life were unweakened.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
It is not seemly; moreover, notice must be given and arrangement made.
Fair Margaret
H. Rider Haggard
Things may perhaps occur which it is not seemly your gentle eyes should witness.
The Shame of Motley
Raphael Sabatini
Whether he was or not, he conceived that he had done the only seemly thing.
Mistress Wilding
Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for seemly

seemly

adjective -lier or -liest

proper or fitting
obsolete pleasing or handsome in appearance

adverb

archaic properly or decorously

Derived Formsseemliness, noun

Word Origin for seemly

C13: from Old Norse sœomiligr, from sœmr befitting

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for seemly

adj.

"of pleasing or good appearance," also "proper, tasteful, decorous," early 13c., semlich, from Old Norse soemiligr "becoming, honorable," from soemr (see seem). Related: Seemliness. Cf. Old Norse soemleitr "fine to look at."