unseemly

Unseemly is an English adjective used to describe conduct, appearance, or remarks that are not appropriate or proper in a given social or moral context. It connotes behavior that is viewed as unbecoming, indecorous, or offensive to standards of propriety, discretion, or public decency. The term is typically reserved for normative judgments and is common in formal, literary, or evaluative discourse.

Usage and nuance: Unseemly describes actions or expressions that fail to meet accepted standards of propriety. It is often applied to public settings, official duties, or interpersonal interactions, and can reference conduct, language, dress, or gestures. Examples include unseemly remarks, unseemly haste, or unseemly behavior at a ceremony. While it carries a negative valence, the assessment is inherently subjective, varying with culture and context. In modern usage, alternatives include unbecoming, indecorous, or improper.

Etymology: The word derives from seemly, meaning proper or fitting, with the negating prefix un- to indicate the opposite. Its sense has been part of English since the Middle Ages, and it remains more common in formal, ceremonial, or literary registers than in casual speech.

See also: decorum; propriety; etiquette; unbecoming; indecorous; improper.