seamy

Seamy is an adjective describing a place, situation, or aspect that is dirty, disreputable, or morally unpleasant. It often denotes elements that are hidden or unattractive, contrasting with a cleaner or more respectable surface. The phrase seamy side or seamy underbelly is widely used to refer to crime, corruption, exploitation, or social vice that lie beneath a veneer of civility.

The word derives from the seam or seam side of fabric—the hidden interior that bears the stitches. By extension, it came to describe the less attractive, exposed underside of things. It is related to seemly, an old antonym denoting proper or appropriate behavior.

Seamy is typically used in literary or journalistic prose. It characterizes places such as seamy districts or seamy hotels and describes actions or individuals as seamy—suggesting unscrupulous or disreputable behavior without naming specifics. It carries a strong negative connotation and can be associated with sensationalism when used in tabloid or popular writing, so caution is advised in formal contexts.

Examples of usage include: "The documentary exposed the seamy underbelly of the fashion industry." "A tour of the seamy side of the city revealed crime-ridden alleys." "The film portrays a seamy, corrupt world behind the glamorous surface." Related terms include squalid, sordid, disreputable, shady, and unsavory.