unbecoming

Everyday

1. (formal) Unbecoming behaviour is not suitable or proper for a person in a certain role, such as a teacher, officer or guest. tree →
2. (old-fashioned) Unbecoming clothes or colours do not look nice on the person wearing them. tree →

In the lessons

Found in formal rules and older stories: «conduct unbecoming of an officer», «unbecoming of a young lady». It tells the reader someone behaved below the standard expected of them. In everyday talk people say «not right» or «doesn't suit you».

Examples

• Shouting at the referee was unbecoming of a team captain. tree →
• The officer was punished for conduct unbecoming. tree →
• Grandma said the green hat was rather unbecoming. tree →
• Sulking after losing is unbecoming. tree →
• Such rude words are unbecoming in a library. tree →
• The old novel described a dress «most unbecoming». tree →
• It is almost unbecoming to tell the story, but there is no doubt about it." tree →

Note

Formal or old-fashioned. Used with «of» or «to», or «for»: «unbecoming of a captain». It does not mean «not becoming» in the sense of «not turning into».