unseemly
unseemly — adjective
- unseemlypositive
- more unseemlycomparative
- most unseemlysuperlative
1. not suitable or polite according to what is generally accepted as correct behavi
not suitable or polite according to what is generally accepted as correct behavior in a social situation — for example, laughing at a funeral or asking about someone's private finances at a dinner party.
Padma's loud argument with the waiter was considered unseemly by everyone at the table.
passive: 'considered unseemly' by group
Kofi thought it unseemly to discuss his boss's salary with the new junior staff members.
it + be + unseemly + to-infinitive
Dahlia felt that wearing shorts to a formal wedding celebration was deeply unseemly.
The politician's unseemly comments about his opponent during the debate drew strong criticism.
Yael deemed it unseemly for the host to leave before the guests had finished eating.
- inappropriate
broader; covers both behavior and objects; less formal than unseemly
- improper
slightly stronger, often implies breaking a rule rather than just social awkwardness
- indecorous
very formal and literary; describes a lack of dignity or good taste
- seemly
positive counterpart, equally formal
- proper
common opposite in everyday use
- appropriate
neutral opposite, broadly applicable
文法句型
it + be + unseemly + for + noun + to-infinitive
consider/deem/find + noun + unseemly
用法筆記
Frequently used with dummy-it constructions ('it is unseemly to…'). In modern English, this word appears mostly in formal writing about social etiquette, politics, or professional conduct; in casual conversation, 'inappropriate' or 'not proper' are far more common.
常見錯誤
unseemly — adverb
1. in a way that does not follow accepted standards of social behavior — the adverb
in a way that does not follow accepted standards of social behavior — the adverbial form of the adjective 'unseemly', used to describe how an action is done.
Joshua behaved unseemly at the dinner, cracking rude jokes while the executives were speaking.
adverb modifying a verb of behavior (behaved unseemly)
Valentina was dressed in an unseemly manner for the traditional wedding ceremony in the village chapel.
phrase: 'in an unseemly manner' instead of flat adverb
Some guests commented in an unseemly manner about the bride's dress during the wedding ceremony.
Niran acted unseemly at the negotiation, laughing openly when the client made a serious offer.
- inappropriately
far more common; works across formal and neutral registers
- indecorously
very formal literary alternative
- appropriately
common opposite
- properly
natural everyday opposite
用法筆記
The flat adverb 'unseemly' is very rare in modern English. Most writers use the phrase 'in an unseemly manner' or simply rephrase with the adjective (e.g. 'His behavior was unseemly' instead of 'He behaved unseemly'). Learners should focus on mastering the adjective form first.