seemly

comparative seemlier · superlative seemliest

1. Of behavior, appropriate; suited to the occasion or purpose; becoming.

   His behavior was seemly, as befits a gentleman.

   3 more examples

   Suspense of judgment and exercise of charity were safer and seemlier for Christian men than the hot pursuit of these controversies.

   [1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page)

   I am a woman, lacking wit / To make a seemly answer to such persons.

   1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]

   […] every six months she strapped on her sword and armor, and rode off in a confusion of gleaming strangers. […] When Mama came home the strangers came with her, and so did more money than was really seemly.

   2017, Ada Hoffmann, Monsters in My Mind, page 24

   Synonyms: apposite

comparative more seemly · superlative most seemly

1. Appropriately, fittingly.

   The great earthes wombe they open to the sky, / And with sad Cypresse seemely it embraue [...].

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto I”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC