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seemly

/ˈsimli/
IPA guide

Other forms: seemlier; seemliest; seemlily

You don't want to seem anything less than seemly, especially in the presence of the Queen. Only seemly behavior is allowed when she's around.

Seemly behavior is polite, decent, upright, and appropriate. You'll need to get schooled in the ways of more seemly people before you can be allowed in the fanciest restaurant in town. At the moment, your ratty clothes, smelly feet, and bad manners can only be described as "unseemly" — which is, of course, the opposite of seemly. One way to remember the meaning of seemly is to think of how you'd like to "seem" to others. Chances are the answer is something like seemly. Unless you enjoy seeming like a big mess.

Definitions of seemly
  1. adjective
    according with custom or propriety
    seemly behavior”
    proper
    marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
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