unbecoming
unbecoming Lexical Profile
unbecoming Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Not fitting or appropriate for a particular person, role, or social standard; improper or unseemly.
"The committee concluded that his public outburst was conduct unbecoming a senior diplomat."
Not flattering to a person's physical appearance (especially of clothing, colors, or hairstyles).
"She decided against buying the coat because its boxy cut and pale yellow shade were unbecoming on her."
Word Nuance & Usage
In formal and legal contexts, 'unbecoming' often appears postpositively after the noun it modifies, most notably in the military and professional phrase 'conduct unbecoming an officer.'
• Rhymes for unbecoming
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in late Middle English from the prefix 'un-' (not) and 'becoming,' the present participle of 'become' in its older sense of 'to suit, befit, or look attractive on' (from Old English 'becuman').