becomingness

English

Etymology

From becoming (“suitable, fit”) +‎ -ness.

Noun

becomingness (uncountable)

1. The state or quality of being becoming (pleasingly suitable).
   • 1814, Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, Chapter 26,^[1]

     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.

   • 1897, Frances Hodgson Burnett, His Grace of Osmonde, New York: Scribner, Chapter 17, p. 231,^[2]

     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.

   • 1924, O. Douglas (pseudonym of Anna Masterton Buchan), Pink Sugar, London: Hodder & Stoughton, Chapter 22,^[3]

     The becomingness of Kirsty’s clothes did nothing to soften Rebecca’s feelings towards her.