comely
/'kʌmli/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Pleasing to the eye; attractive; good-looking: Used to describe a person, especially a woman, whose appearance is pleasant, beautiful, or handsome in a wholesome way.
- In accordance with propriety; decent; seemly: Used to describe behavior, actions, or appearances that are appropriate, proper, and fitting within social norms.
Usage Examples
- Meaning: Attractive:
- The artist painted a portrait of a comely young woman with a gentle smile.
- He was charmed by her comely features and graceful manner.
- Meaning: Proper, Seemly:
- She conducted herself with comely modesty during the ceremony.
- It is comely to offer your seat to an elderly person on the bus.
Advanced Usage
- "Comely" often carries a somewhat old-fashioned or literary tone when describing physical attractiveness. It suggests a natural, wholesome, or graceful beauty rather than a glamorous or striking one.
- In its second meaning, it is formal and emphasizes conformity to social standards of decency and appropriateness.
Variants and Related Words
- Comeliness (noun): The quality of being comely; attractiveness or seemliness.
- The comeliness of her character was as notable as her physical beauty.
Synonyms
- Attractive, pretty, fair, handsome, lovely (for the first meaning).
- Decent, proper, seemly, decorous, becoming (for the second meaning).
Antonyms
- Plain, unattractive, homely, ugly (for the first meaning).
- Unseemly, improper, indecent, unbecoming (for the second meaning).
Notes on Usage
- The word is not commonly used in everyday modern conversation. It is more likely to be found in classic literature, formal writing, or poetic contexts.
- When used to describe people, it is typically applied to women, though it can be used for men in older texts.
Adjective
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very pleasing to the eye
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my bonny lass
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there's a bonny bay beyond
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a comely face
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young fair maidens
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according with custom or propriety
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her becoming modesty
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comely behavior
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it is not comme il faut for a gentleman to be constantly asking for money
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a decent burial
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seemly behavior
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