Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not attractive or pleasing to look at; lacking physical beauty or grace. This meaning focuses on appearance.
   • Not proper, fitting, or decent; not in accordance with accepted standards of behavior or propriety. This meaning focuses on behavior or suitability.

Usage

• The word uncomely is a formal and somewhat literary adjective. It is used to describe something that is either physically unattractive or socially inappropriate. It is the opposite of "comely," which means attractive or proper.

Examples

• Describing appearance:
  • The old, uncomely building was finally demolished to make way for a park.
  • He felt his features were rough and uncomely.
• Describing behavior or propriety:
  • Her uncomely outburst at the dinner party shocked the guests.
  • It is considered uncomely to discuss finances in such a public setting.

Advanced Usage

• "uncomely haste": improper or indecent speed, often implying a lack of respect or decorum.
  • The arrangements were made with uncomely haste, leading to much gossip.
• Used in formal or literary criticism to describe elements that are aesthetically or morally discordant.
  • The critic found the comic relief in the tragic play to be an uncomely addition.

Variants and Related Words

• Comely (adj): Attractive, pleasing to look at; proper, seemly. (The direct antonym).
• Unbecoming (adj): Not fitting or appropriate; unattractive. (A close synonym, especially for the "improper" sense).
• Unseemly (adj): Not in keeping with established standards of taste or formality; improper. (A very close synonym for the behavioral sense).

Synonyms

• Unattractive (for the appearance sense).
• Improper, indecorous, unbecoming, unseemly, indecent (for the behavioral/propriety sense).

Antonyms

• Comely, attractive, beautiful (for appearance).
• Proper, decent, decorous, seemly, becoming (for behavior).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• While uncomely itself is not commonly used in fixed idioms, it fits into patterns describing impropriety:
  • "an uncomely sight": an unpleasant or improper thing to see.
  • "uncomely conduct": improper behavior.

Adjective

1. not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
   • was buried with indecent haste
   • indecorous behavior
   • language unbecoming to a lady
   • unseemly to use profanity
   • moved to curb their untoward ribaldry