the word "Becoming"?

Question

in what context do you use it? Have you ever used it to mean "appropriate", if not has that definition now become obsolete? Thanks in advance
Faith.x

Answer 1

It's related to an Anglo-Saxon word "cÿmelïċ" (Modern English "comely", "beautiful, handsome, pleasing to the eye". As in the well-known phrase "a comely wench". Later, by extension from that, it came to mean "fitting, suitable" (beautiful in the figurative sense).

"To become" could always be used transitively to mean "to beseem (now, there's a word you don't hear much now!), befit, suit, sit well upon", as in "Moonlight becomes her" (a well-known song years ago), "It doesn't become me to speak on that subject", etc.

"Becoming" is simply the present participle of that verb. So it means "seemly, fitting, suiting, sitting well upon", etc.

So I don't see why you couldn't add "appropriate" to that list.

And no, I don't think it's obsolete - anyway, English speakers throw away these weapons in their armoury at their peril!

Answer 2

Becoming is not used to mean appropriate. Becoming has two meanings; 1) To suit or be suitable to. 2) To come to be, to change into as day into night.

An article of clothing may become a person but not be appropriate for the occasion. An evening gown may be gorgeous and just the right color to set off ones hair or eyes, but it certainly wouldn't be appropriate to wear to a football game!

The word is in no way obsolete although you hear it less often than in years gone by. Our language or the knowledge of that language has suffered greatly for many reasons, not the least of which is due to the Internet slang one uses to shorten and change words. Case in point...It is unbecoming when someone uses words that are unfortunately becoming the norm in America today!

Answer 3

You are talking about "becoming" as an adjective, right, not a form of the verb "become"? To me, it means attractive, fitting, as in "She was wearing a very becoming dress." People might also say, "That dress becomes her", meaning it's very suitable for her. So yes, "appropriate" is close, but not like suitable, more like really well suited to make a person look attractive. An ugly black dress may be appropriate for a funeral, but no one would call it "becoming".

I think it's pretty obsolete now, except for aged persons like myself.

Answer 4

Becoming used as an adjective describes behavior or looks and can mean flattering or attractive ("that jacket is very becoming on you" or "it is not very becoming to use profanity")
Becoming as a verb is a transition from one thing to another ("the caterpillar is becoming a butterfly" or "I am becoming tired of this work")
I do not believe it is obsolete, just maybe not used as much in that way.

Answer 5

that suits or gives a pleasing effect or attractive appearance, as to a person or thing: a becoming dress; a becoming hairdo

that is how I use it.

I think a lot of words are becomming obsolete du to the wordage from computer convo and aggressive "new wave" izzy wizzy stuff

Answer 6

Because I am British and old fashioned, I would easily use the word /becoming/ to mean appropriate:

"You look very fetching my dear," Aunty Mabel said. "That outfit is most becoming. Teddy will be delighted!"

Eh?

Or maybe. . . After the dinner party, Mr Jenkins approached the side table by the Director's chair. "I am becoming weary of all this conspiratorial secrecy. I will absent myself - no need to see me out! Goodbye."

Answer 7

You can use it that way in a sentence when you are talking about someone turning an appropriate age for something. Example: Since he was becoming of age, the community prepared a feast for him. or She was becoming of age. (In other words, old enough to marry)

Answer 8

Huckleberry Harrison

Answer 9

I have often said "that is rather becoming" instead of appropriate when referring to someone's outfit or hairstyle. My grandma used that word quite a lot so I think it has stuck with me.

Answer 10

Thats the only meaning in context I can think of as in
That dress is very becoming, meaning 'it suits you'