SuaviloquyToday’s word

becoming

Becoming, a.

Appropriate or fit; congruous; suitable; graceful; befitting. A low and becoming tone. Thackeray.

Note: Formerly sometimes followed by of. Such discourses as are becoming of them. Dryden.

Syn. -- Seemly; comely; decorous; decent; proper.

1 other Webster entry under this spelling

Becoming, n.

That which is becoming or appropriate. [Obs.]

Shades of meaning

That is becoming in dress which suits the complexion, figure, and other qualities of the wearer, so as to produce on the whole a pleasing effect. That is decent which does not offend modesty or propriety. That is suitable which is adapted to the age, station, situation, and other circumstances of the wearer; coarse, heavy boots are suitable for farm-work; a juvenile style of dress is not suitable for an old lady. In conduct much the same rules apply. The dignity and gravity of a patriarch would not be becoming to a child; at a funeral lively, cheery sociability would not be decorous, while noisy hilarity would not be decent; sumptuous display would not be suitable for a poor person. Fit is a compendious term for whatever fits the person, time, place, occasion, etc.; as, a fit person; a fit abode; a fit place. Fitting, or befitting, is somewhat more elegant, implying a nicer adaptation. Meet, a somewhat archaic word, expresses a moral fitness; as, meet for heaven. Compare beautiful.

Prepositions

The dress was becoming to the wearer. Such conduct was becoming in him.