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Glite Dictionary
to beseem

to beseem

1 9.9
To be suitable for a person or occasion
  • verb
  • /bɪˈsim/
  • Archaic
translation icon : corresponder
  • Dressing appropriately for the occasion would beseem a person in her position.

Examples

  • Prison may beseem his holiness.

    Edward II (1991)

  • Sir, if the security of our state is at stake, of course it would beseem well.

    Heirloom (2019)

  • Would it beseem well for a ruler like me and a Shahzade's daughter like her?

    Heirloom (2019)

  • Rome's royal empress, unfurnished of her well-beseeming troop?

    Titus (1999)

  • As a leader, it would beseem him to act with integrity and honor.

  • Her demeanor at the gala was beseeming of someone with such a high title.

Synonyms

to fit
vsto beseem
969 1.0

To match or go well with something

is about general appropriateness rather than meeting formal requirements
to suit
vsto beseem
303 1.9

To be good for someone's needs or plans

is about general appropriateness, not personal convenience or preference
to befit
vsto beseem
25 6.8

To be suitable for a person or situation

is general suitability without stressing worthiness
to beteem
vsto beseem
  • Archaic
9.9

To be fitting for someone or something

is also used in formal contexts as well as archaic language

How Appropriate

to befit
25 6.8
to beseem
  • Archaic
1 9.9
to become
178 3.5
to suit
303 1.9

Surface Forms

beseem infinitive
beseemed past
beseemed past participle
beseeming present participle
beseems third person singular

Morphology

beseem = seem (semi-transparent) = be + seem

Formed by the prefix 'be-' plus 'seem', but the meaning 'befit, suit' is archaic/formal and not a straightforward deduction from 'seem' ('appear'), so the relation is only partly transparent.

Etymology

Beseem is made of be- and the common word seem, which long ago meant 'to fit' or 'be appropriate'. So, to beseem someone or something is to be suitable for them, in other words to 'fit' their role or behaviour.