becomingness
nounEtymology From becoming (“suitable, fit”) + -ness.
1
The state or quality of being becoming (pleasingly suitable).
- Miss Crawford smiled her perfect approbation; and hastened to complete the gift by putting the necklace round her, and making her see how well it looked. Fanny had not a word to say against its becomingness, and, excepting what remained of her scruples, was exceedingly pleased with an acquisition so very apropos.1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter XXVI, in Mansfield Park: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC:
- There would have been little becomingness in his hastening after her and his Lordship of Dunstanwolde; his court to her must be paid with grace and considerateness.1897, Frances Hodgson Burnett, chapter 17, in His Grace of Osmonde, New York: Scribner, page 231:
1 more example
- 1924, O. Douglas (pseudonym of Anna Masterton Buchan), Pink Sugar, London: Hodder & Stoughton, Chapter 22, The becomingness of Kirsty’s clothes did nothing to soften Rebecca’s feelings towards her.
- Derived terms
- unbecomingness