Meanings
- uncountableThe state or quality of being becoming (pleasingly suitable).
1924, O. Douglas (pseudonym of Anna Masterton Buchan), Pink Sugar, London: Hodder & Stoughton, Chapter 22, The becomingness of Kirsty’s clothes did nothing to soften Rebecca’s feelings towards her.
2 more examples
Miss Crawford smiled her perfect approbation; and hastened to complete the gift by putting the necklace round her, and making her see how well it looked. Fanny had not a word to say against its becomingness, and, excepting what remained of her scruples, was exceedingly pleased with an acquisition so very apropos.
1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter XXVI, in Mansfield Park: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLCThere would have been little becomingness in his hastening after her and his Lordship of Dunstanwolde; his court to her must be paid with grace and considerateness.
1897, Frances Hodgson Burnett, chapter 17, in His Grace of Osmonde, New York: Scribner, page 231
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
From becoming (“suitable, fit”) + -ness.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
becomingness. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/becomingness
“becomingness.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/becomingness. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “becomingness,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/becomingness.
Source: becomingness on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.