unbecoming

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Not flattering, attractive or appropriate.

   • She wore a rather unbecoming hairstyle.
   • A very small expensive black toque was hideously unbecoming to the yellow, toad-like face beneath it.
   • With its lavish brass and copperwork, this [bright chocolate] seemed a trifle too gay and unbecoming for a G.W.R. locomotive, and apparently the Company soon shared this view for there was a reversion to the standard Brunswick green.
2. 2

   Not in keeping with the expected standards of one's position.

   • He was accused of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
   • No proceedings in respect of unbecoming conduct shall be taken in respect of the lawful political opinions or activities of any bishop, priest or deacon.
   • “You must be able to smell it too, Chloe. That smell of . . . Well, I’m not going to say what it reminds me of, that would be impolite and unbecoming of a woman of my class and distinction, but it’s a bad smell.”
3. 3

   present participle and gerund of unbecome

4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      The process by which something unbecomes.

      • By tracing the turns from U.S. to Japan to China, we can see that becoming American, the classic ethnic American narrative, itself opens to further becomings and unbecomings and rebecomings that address mobility and ethnicization […]

The neighborhood

• synonymunsuitable
• synonymunfit
• synonymindecent
• synonymindecorous
• synonymimproper
• antonymbecoming
• antonymbefitting
• antonymsuiting
• neighborunbecomingly
• neighborunbecomingness