downright

1 of 2

adverb

down·​right ˈdau̇n-ˌrīt How to pronounce downright (audio)
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 tongueAngus Wilson
downrightly adverb
downrightness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
Petit Soleil This oh-so petite boutique has just 17 rooms and suites, which range from snug to downright palatial. Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025 While Fleming’s early works place Bond at being somewhere between his late twenties and early thirties, First Light’s version is 26, but looks downright baby-faced. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025
Adjective
Dining here feels like eating at a friend's home—that is, if your friend could whip up a downright decadent vodka rigatoni. Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025 With Adam Henrique on the doorstep, DeSmith made a dramatic and downright balletic move to stop him — flinging his left arm behind him for balance and furiously stabbing the right side of the crease with his right pad. Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for downright

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downright was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Downright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downright. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

downright

1 of 2 adverb
down·​right -ˌrīt How to pronounce downright (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on downright

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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