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DOWNRIGHT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
Example:
sheer stupidity
Synonyms:
absolute; downright; out-and-out; rank; right-down; sheer
Classified under:
Similar:
complete (having every necessary or normal part or component or step)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Characterized by plain blunt honesty
Example:
a downright kind of person
Classified under:
Similar:
honest; honorable (not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent)
Derivation:
downrightness (the quality of being direct and straightforward)
II. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Thoroughgoing
Example:
he is outright dishonest
Classified under:
Domain usage:
intensifier; intensive (a modifier that has little meaning except to intensify the meaning it modifies)
Context examples:
She said no more, other subjects took their turn; and the rest of the dinner passed away; the dessert succeeded, the children came in, and were talked to and admired amid the usual rate of conversation; a few clever things said, a few downright silly, but by much the larger proportion neither the one nor the other—nothing worse than everyday remarks, dull repetitions, old news, and heavy jokes.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Neither would Mr. Knightley's downright, decided, commanding sort of manner, though it suits him very well; his figure, and look, and situation in life seem to allow it; but if any young man were to set about copying him, he would not be sufferable.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
