seemly — [sēm′lē] adj. seemlier, seemliest [ME semlich < ON sœmiligr < sœmr, fitting < sœma: see SEEM] 1. pleasing in appearance; fair; handsome 2. suitable, proper, fitting, or becoming, esp. as regards conventional standards of conduct or good… … English World dictionary
Seemly — Seem ly (s[=e]m l[y^]), adv. [Compar. {Seemlier}; superl. {Seemliest}.] In a decent or suitable manner; becomingly. [1913 Webster] Suddenly a men before him stood, Not rustic as before, but seemlier clad, As one in city or court or place bred.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
seemly — index appropriate, felicitous, fit, fitting, proper, right (suitable), rightful, seasonable … Law dictionary
seemly — (adj.) of pleasing or good appearance, early 13c., from O.N. soemiligr, from soemr (see SEEM (Cf. seem)) … Etymology dictionary
seemly — *proper, nice, *decorous, decent Analogous words: fitting, suitable, appropriate, meet (see FIT): congruous, compatible, congenial, consistent, *consonant Antonyms: unseemly … New Dictionary of Synonyms
seemly — [adj] appropriate, suitable becoming, befitting, comme il faut, compatible, conforming, congenial, congruous, consistent, consonant, correct, decent, decorous, fit, fitting, in good taste, meet, nice, pleasing, proper, suited, timely; concept 558 … New thesaurus
seemly — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ conforming to propriety or good taste. DERIVATIVES seemliness noun. ORIGIN Old Norse, fitting ; related to SEEM(Cf. ↑seem) … English terms dictionary
seemly — seemliness, n. /seem lee/, adj., seemlier, seemliest, adv. adj. 1. fitting or becoming with respect to propriety or good taste; decent; decorous: Your outburst of rage was hardly seemly. 2. suitable or appropriate; fitting: a seemly gesture. 3.… … Universalium
seemly — seem•ly [[t]ˈsim li[/t]] adj. li•er, li•est, adv. 1) fitting or proper; decorous: Your outburst was hardly seemly[/ex] 2) suitable or appropriate: a seemly gesture[/ex] 3) of pleasing appearance; handsome 4) in a seemly manner; fittingly;… … From formal English to slang
seemly — adjective (seemlier; est) Etymology: Middle English semely, from Old Norse sœmiligr, from sœmr fitting Date: 13th century 1. a. good looking, handsome b. agreeably fashioned ; attractive 2. conventionally proper … New Collegiate Dictionary
