misbecome: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicArchaic, Literary, Formal
Quick answer
What does “misbecome” mean?
To be unsuitable or unbecoming for (a person).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To be unsuitable or unbecoming for (a person); to be unfitting for one's character or position.
To fail to suit, to be inappropriate for, to be unworthy of someone's dignity, status, or character.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic and rare in both varieties. Possibly retains a slightly stronger foothold in historical or highly formal British legal/ecclesiastical contexts, but this distinction is negligible.
Connotations
In both varieties, use is self-consciously archaic, implying a formal, judgmental, or deliberately old-fashioned tone. It may be used for ironic or humorous effect.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use. Found almost exclusively in historical texts, period drama dialogue, or deliberate stylistic archaism.
Grammar
How to Use “misbecome” in a Sentence
[Quality/Behaviour] misbecomes [Person]It misbecomes [Person] to [infinitive verb phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “misbecome” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Such ostentation misbecomes a public servant.
- It misbecomes you to speak so rudely to your elders.
- The councillor felt that vulgar display misbecame the dignity of his office.
American English
- His boastful tone misbecomes a man seeking our trust.
- It would misbecome me to comment on an ongoing investigation.
- They believed panic misbecame a leader in a crisis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical or literary criticism discussing older texts or concepts of decorum.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “misbecome”
- Using it as a synonym for 'become' with a negative prefix (e.g., *He misbecame a villain). Incorrect: it is transitive and requires a subject (the unsuitable thing) and an object (the person it doesn't suit).
- Using it in modern, informal contexts.
- Confusing it with 'misbehave'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic and is very rarely used in modern English outside of historical contexts, legal/formal archaisms, or deliberate stylistic choice.
It is grammatically possible but exceedingly rare due to the verb's own rarity. An example might be: 'He was not a man by whom such actions would be misbecome.' However, the active construction is far more typical.
'Misbecome' is a transitive verb (e.g., 'That misbecomes you'). 'Unbecoming' is primarily an adjective used predictively (e.g., 'That is unbecoming of you'). Their meaning is very similar, but 'unbecoming' is the vastly more common form in modern usage.
For most learners, it is more important to recognize and understand this word when encountered in older texts than to use it actively in speech or writing. Using it in modern contexts will sound very odd or pretentious.
To be unsuitable or unbecoming for (a person).
Misbecome is usually archaic, literary, formal in register.
Misbecome: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsbɪˈkʌm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsbɪˈkʌm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It misbecomes one to... (archaic structure)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MIS (wrongly) + BECOME (to suit). 'To wrongly suit' someone → to be unsuitable for them.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROPRIETY IS A GARMENT / CLOTHING (Something that 'misbecomes' you is like wearing clothes that are inappropriate for your station).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'misbecome' most appropriately used?