Beseem

//bɪˈsiːm// verb

verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    Generally with a qualifying word such as ill or well: to appear, look, or seem (a certain way for someone or something). ambitransitive, archaic

    "This inn beseems well for a weary wayfarer."

  2. 2
    accord or comport with wordnet
  3. 3
    Without any qualifying word: to be appropriate or creditable (for someone or something). ambitransitive, archaic

    "It beseems you not to grumble thus."

Synonyms

All synonyms
befitsuitbecomebefit

Example

More examples

"Such conduct does not beseem you."

Etymology

PIE word *h₁epi From Middle English bisemen (“to beseem”) [and other forms], from be-, bi- (prefix forming transitive verbs with a completive, figurative, or intensifying sense) + semen (“to seem; to be or see as appropriate; to be visible or apparent; to regard”). Semen is derived from Old Norse sœma (“to conform to; to befit, beseem”), from Proto-Germanic *sōmijaną (“to fit; to unite”), from Proto-Indo-European *sem- (“one; whole”). The English word is analysable as be- (prefix with an intensifying sense) + seem.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.