seemly Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite according with custom or propriety
    comme il faut; decent; becoming; comely; decorous.
    • her becoming modesty
    • comely behavior
    • it is not comme il faut for a gentleman to be constantly asking for money
    • a decent burial
    • seemly behavior

WordNet

Seem"ly adjective
Etymology
Icel. smiligr, fr. smr becoming, fit; akin to samr same, E. same; the sense being properly, the same or like, hence, fitting. See Seem, v. i.
Wordforms
comparative Seemlier ; superlative Seeliest
Definitions
  1. Suited to the object, occasion, purpose, or character; suitable; fit; becoming; comely; decorous.
    He had a seemly nose. Chaucer.
    I am a woman, lacking wit To make a seemly answer to such persons. Shak.
    Suspense of judgment and exercise of charity were safer and seemlier for Christian men than the hot pursuit of these controversies. Hooker.
    Syn. -- Becoming; fit; suitable; proper; appropriate; congruous; meet; decent; decorous.
Seem"ly adverb
Wordforms
comparative Seemlier; superlative Seemliest
Definitions
  1. In a decent or suitable manner; becomingly.
    Suddenly a men before him stood, Not rustic as before, but seemlier clad, As one in city or court or place bred. Milton.

Webster 1913