downright

1 of 2

adverb

down·​right ˈdau̇n-ˌrīt 

1

archaic : straight down

2

: absolutely sense 1a

downright handsome

downright mean

3

obsolete : forthright

downright

2 of 2

adjective

1

archaic : directed vertically downward

2

: outright, thorough

a downright lie

3

: plain, blunt

stories he had heard of her downright tongue

—Angus Wilson

downrightly adverb

downrightness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• abrupt
• bluff
• blunt
• brusque
• brusk
• crusty
• curt
• short
• short-spoken
• snippy
• unceremonious

Examples of downright in a Sentence

Adverb

The movie was downright stupid.

It's very difficult, if not downright impossible.

Adjective

rural folks are often known for their downright speech, as they are generally not ones to beat around the bush

that's a downright lie, and you know it

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Address: 65 Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 Glitterati Bettie Page and Betty Draper fans will delight upon entering Glitterati—there’s a case of downright dazzling 1950s-era costume jewelry. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024

The posts prompted several responses from some people, who noted that the act was downright disrespectful. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

downright

1 of 2 adverb

down·​right -ˌrīt 

: in a complete and absolute manner

that was downright stupid

downright

2 of 2 adjective

1

: absolute sense 3, utter

a downright lie

2

: outspoken, blunt

downright country people

downrightly adverb

downrightness noun