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

With features like an adjustable volume level, a push-to-talk button, and great sound quality, these kids’ walkie-talkies are downright fun. —Katrina Cossey, Parents, 16 July 2024

That, on the other hand, is far from captivating and is downright startling. —Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 15 July 2024

Adjective

And the pay disparities shown here seem downright quaint when CEO Bobby Kotick was making 1,560 times as much money as the median Activision employee in 2020. —Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 17 July 2024

But the current government, led by Xi Jinping, seems downright Maoist at times in its hostility to Western-style political institutions and values. —John Osburg, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2014

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