VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

unbecoming

adjective·Advancedformal

Last updated

UK/ˌʌnbɪˈkʌmɪŋ/
US/ˌʌnbɪˈkʌmɪŋ/

Meanings

  1. adjectiveafter a verbformal

    Not suitable for the character, position or standards expected of someone, so that it reflects badly on them.

    Grammar: Often followed by of: behavior unbecoming of an officer.

    Patterns

    • be unbecoming of someone
    • conduct unbecoming

    Shouting at a customer is unbecoming of a professional.

    The judge called the remark unbecoming and asked for an apology.

    Their rude behavior was unbecoming for such a distinguished guest.

  2. adjectivecomparableold-fashioned

    Not looking attractive on a person, because it does not suit them.

    Grammar: Describes clothes, colors or hairstyles: an unbecoming color.

    Patterns

    • an unbecoming dress

    The pale green dress was unbecoming and made her look tired.

    He thought the short haircut unbecoming on him.

Common combinations

conduct unbecoming
The officer faced charges of conduct unbecoming.
unbecoming behavior
Unbecoming behavior at the party cost him his job.
unbecoming of a gentleman
Such language is unbecoming of a gentleman.
an unbecoming color
Gray was an unbecoming color on her.
highly unbecoming
His remarks were highly unbecoming in a leader.

Synonyms and how they differ

improper
Improper simply means not correct or not suitable, while unbecoming adds the idea that it lowers a person's dignity.
unseemly
Unseemly is a close synonym and focuses on what looks inappropriate to others, particularly at serious occasions.
unflattering
Unflattering is used for how something makes a person look, not for conduct.
inappropriate
Inappropriate is the everyday word for unsuitable and lacks the formal tone of unbecoming.

Opposites

becomingfittingflattering

Word family

become verb
to suit or look good on someone, in an older use
becoming adjective
attractive on someone, or suitable
unbecomingly adverb
in a way that does not suit someone
unbecomingness noun
the quality of being unsuitable (rare)

Commonly confused: unbecoming or becoming?

unbecoming vs becoming

Becoming here means suitable or flattering, which is quite different from the common verb form becoming meaning changing into something.

Practice

The general was removed from his post for conduct ____ of an officer.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “unbecoming”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words