seamy
UK: ˈsiːmi | US: ˈsiːmi
adj. 1. (of fabric) showing the seams or stitches; rough or unfinished in appearance.
adj. 2. (figurative) sordid, unpleasant, or morally degraded (e.g., "the seamy side of life").
The word "seamy" derives from "seam," which traces back to Old English sēam, meaning the stitched join in fabric. The suffix "-y" transforms it into an adjective, originally describing the visible or rough side of a seam. By the 16th century, it gained figurative use to describe the "ugly underside" of situations, reflecting the contrast between a fabric's neat exterior and its messy inner stitches. This metaphorical extension highlights the word's logic: what is hidden (like seams) often reveals harsh truths.
The jacket was poorly made, with seamy edges visible inside.
The documentary exposed the seamy underbelly of urban poverty.
She turned the pillowcase inside out to hide its seamy side.
His novels often explore the seamy realities behind glamorous facades.
The politician vowed to clean up the city’s seamy districts.