unbecoming

adjective un·be·com·ing \ˌən-bi-ˈkə-miŋ\

: not attractive : not becoming

: not appropriate or acceptable for a person in a particular job or position

Full Definition of UNBECOMING

: not becoming <an unbecoming dress>; especially : not according with the standards appropriate to one's position or condition of life <unbecoming conduct>

— un·be·com·ing·ly \-miŋ-lē\ adverb

— un·be·com·ing·ness noun

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First Known Use of UNBECOMING

1598

Related to UNBECOMING

Synonyms: amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inapt, incongruous, incorrect, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, malapropos, perverse, unapt, inappropriate, unfit, unhappy, unseemly, unsuitable, untoward, wrong

Antonyms: appropriate, becoming, befitting, correct, decorous, felicitous, fit, fitting, genteel, happy, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable

Synonym Discussion of UNBECOMING

indecorous, improper, unseemly, unbecoming, indelicate mean not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste. indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners <indecorous behavior>. improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method <improper use of campaign contributions>. unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste <remarried with unseemly haste>. unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status <conduct unbecoming to an officer>. indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling <indelicate expressions for bodily functions>.