seemly

USAGE SUMMARY

'seemly' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You would use it to describe something that is appropriate or decent in a particular situation. For example: She offered her assistance in a seemly manner, without any need for recognition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And while it may not be very seemly, some businessmen believe that appearances count.

The Economist

But in California, where Democrats control the governorship and both legislative houses, the politics was no more seemly.

The Economist

A seemly distance between church and state is probably better for both, and certainly better for Spanish society at large.

The Economist

But most Keynesians, anxious to appear fiscally responsible, say that budget deficits in bad times should be offset by surpluses in good times, keeping the level of debt seemly.

The Economist

Meanwhile some illustrious establishments, such as Nobu in London, a fabled haunt of the glitterati, have had their awards snatched away.As ever, the debate among some chefs is whether it is seemly to be so obsessed with winning Michelin stars.

The Economist

In any normal democracy, it would surely have been more seemly for a candidate to wait until after winning the election before kicking out his prime minister.Russia is, of course, far from being either normal or democratic.

The Economist

It is now pursuing Mr Williams, Mr Adler and others with seemly vigour.

The Economist

With Verdi it was the vehemence of dramatic utterance rather than the presumptions of the orchestra that called for louder and more emphatic singing than would have been thought seemly in the age of bel canto.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ornamentum, he claims, is only an "auxiliary brightness," the quality and extent of which will depend essentially on what is appropriate and seemly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because the first extant plays the 14th-century Abele spelen ("seemly plays")—were entirely secular (and may have been the first of such in Europe), incorporating romantic themes from the earlier songs, there is reason to attribute the emergence of drama in the Netherlands as much to mime and song as to liturgical action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

St. Paul wrote to Timothy "that women should adorn themselves modestly and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly attire but by good deeds, as befits women who profess religion".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seemly" to describe behavior or actions that align with expected social norms and are considered appropriate for the context. For example, "It is not considered "seemly" to interrupt someone who is speaking".

Common error

Avoid using "seemly" to describe solely physical appearance; it is best reserved for conduct, actions, or situations that require a level of decorum.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "seemly" primarily functions to describe actions, behaviors, or situations that are appropriate, fitting, or in accordance with accepted standards of decorum. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the word indicates that something is considered socially acceptable or proper within a given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

11%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seemly" is an adjective used to describe something that is appropriate or fitting, often in accordance with social norms and expectations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes behavior or actions that are considered proper and decorous. Primarily found in News & Media and Encyclopedia sources, its function is to convey approval of established standards. Remember to use "seemly" to describe conduct and situations rather than solely physical appearance. For alternatives, consider "appropriate", "becoming", or "decorous" for similar meanings. The word "seemly" is a valuable term for indicating adherence to societal expectations and maintaining a tone of propriety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appropriate

Focuses on the suitability of something for a particular purpose or occasion.

becoming

Emphasizes how well something suits or enhances the appearance or character of someone or something.

decorous

Highlights proper behavior and good taste in conduct or appearance.

fitting

Stresses the suitability or appropriateness of something in a given situation.

suitable

Indicates that something is right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.

proper

Implies adherence to established rules, customs, or etiquette.

apt

Suggests that something is particularly well-suited or appropriate.

befitting

Similar to 'becoming', but emphasizes the act of something being appropriate or suitable.

tasteful

Focuses on aesthetic appropriateness and good judgment.

in good taste

Highlights the avoidance of anything offensive or inappropriate.

FAQs

How to use "seemly" in a sentence?

"Seemly" is used to describe something that is appropriate or fitting. For example, "His behavior was "seemly", as befits a gentleman".

What can I say instead of "seemly"?

You can use alternatives like "appropriate", "becoming", or "decorous" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "seemly" or "seemingly"?

"Seemly" describes something that is appropriate or fitting, while "seemingly" means appearing to be true based on the available evidence. They have different meanings and uses.

What's the difference between "seemly" and "appropriate"?

While both words suggest suitability, "appropriate" generally refers to being suitable for a specific purpose or situation. "Seemly" carries a stronger connotation of adhering to social norms and decorum.