unseemly
Americanadjective
-
not seemly; not in keeping with established standards of taste or proper form; unbecoming or indecorous in appearance, speech, conduct, etc..
an unseemly act; unseemly behavior.
- Synonyms:
- inappropriate, unbefitting
-
inappropriate for time or place.
an unseemly hour.
adverb
adjective
-
not in good style or taste; unbecoming
-
obsolete unattractive
adverb
Synonym Usage
See improper.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unseemly
Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at un- 1, seemly
Explanation
Something that is inappropriate or unacceptable behavior is unseemly. It's a gentler, somewhat nicer word for "inappropriate" than its synonyms, the "in" words: "indecent, indecorous, indelicate, inelegant, inept" — well, you get the idea. Knowing that the "un-" prefix turns a word into its opposite, you'll see that unseemly means "not seemly." Let's look at that word (which is related to our verb seem), because it carries the real meaning. Seemly goes back to around 1200, to the Old Norse word soemr, "fitting, becoming." The negative "un-" was added in the early 14th century to denote the opposite meaning. "Seems" to make sense, doesn’t it?
Vocabulary lists containing unseemly
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "U"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Written by Mr. Carney and Peter McDonald, who also contributes a funny supporting turn as one of Rick’s band mates, it stumbles into a bog of bitterness, quarreling and unseemly behavior.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
Green co-leader Ross Greer accused opponents of "nasty and unseemly" attacks.
From BBC • May 13, 2026
His most “persistent hater,” the pompous moralist Cato the Censor, railed at Scipio’s unseemly pride and alleged corruption.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 16, 2025
After watching clips of both of these incidents, it’s clear they were unseemly.
From Slate • Sep. 17, 2025
“Oh, Beth, he’s sent you...” began Amy, gesticulating with unseemly energy, but she got no further, for Jo quenched her by slamming down the window.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
