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

Judging Lee based on how things went for the team in his first season is downright wild. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2025

Hogan then trounces Yokozuna in a way that makes the monstrous heel look downright foolish. —Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025

Adjective

Its signature, though, is its Ultimate Medical Health package, and its downright forensic. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025

The ones who weren’t downright frauds were only cracked and wretched old women with delusions. —Charles Portis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for downright

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

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