unseemly
unseemly — 形容詞
- unseemlypositive
- more unseemlycomparative
- most unseemlysuperlative
1. not suitable or polite according to what is generally accepted as correct behavi
不得體；不當
違反社會行為規範的
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.
Padma 和服務生大聲爭執，在座的所有人都認為她的行為很不得體。
passive: 'considered unseemly' by group
Kofi thought it unseemly to discuss his boss's salary with the new junior staff members.
Kofi 認為向新進的下屬打聽主管的薪水是很不得體的事。
it + be + unseemly + to-infinitive
Dahlia felt that wearing shorts to a formal wedding celebration was deeply unseemly.
Dahlia 覺得穿短褲去參加正式婚禮是非常不得體的。
The politician's unseemly comments about his opponent during the debate drew strong criticism.
那位政治人物在辯論中對對手說出不得體的言論，引來了強烈批評。
Yael deemed it unseemly for the host to leave before the guests had finished eating.
Yael 認為主人在客人還沒吃完前就離席，是很不得體的。
- 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 — 副詞
1. in a way that does not follow accepted standards of social behavior — the adverb
失禮地
以違反社會規範的方式
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.
Joshua 在晚宴上言行失禮，高階主管正在致詞時他還在說低級笑話。
adverb modifying a verb of behavior (behaved unseemly)
Valentina was dressed in an unseemly manner for the traditional wedding ceremony in the village chapel.
Valentina 穿了一身不得體的服裝去村裡教堂參加傳統婚禮。
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.
幾位賓客在婚禮上以不得體的方式評論新娘的禮服。
Niran acted unseemly at the negotiation, laughing openly when the client made a serious offer.
Niran 在談判時表現失禮，客戶提出重要方案時他還大聲笑出來。
- 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.