Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Complete and without restriction or qualification; absolute: Used to emphasize the extreme or total nature of something, often something negative.
   • Characterized by plain, blunt honesty; straightforward: Describing a manner of speaking or a person who is frank and direct, without evasion.

2. Adverb:

   • Thoroughly; completely; utterly: Used to intensify an adjective, indicating an extreme degree.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • That is a downright lie. (That is a complete and absolute lie.)
  • She is known for her downright honesty, even when it's uncomfortable. (She is known for her bluntly honest nature.)
  • It was downright foolish to go out in that storm. (It was utterly foolish.)

• Adverb:

  • He was downright rude to the waiter. (He was completely rude.)
  • The movie was downright terrifying. (The movie was utterly terrifying.)
  • I find his behavior downright confusing. (I find his behavior thoroughly confusing.)

Advanced Usage

• "downright + adjective": This is the most common structure, where "downright" functions as an intensifying adverb before an adjective (e.g., , ).
• "a downright + noun": Used to describe a noun that is an extreme or unambiguous example of something (e.g., , ).

Variants and Related Words

• Outright (adj/adv): Can be similar in meaning to "downright" when meaning complete or total (e.g., , ). However, "outright" can also mean "immediately" or "openly."
• Sheer (adj): Often used similarly to emphasize completeness (e.g., , ).
• Rank (adj): Used to emphasize a negative quality (e.g., , ).

Synonyms

• Adjective (for "complete"): Absolute, utter, out-and-out, total, unqualified.
• Adjective (for "blunt"): Forthright, candid, plain-spoken, blunt, straightforward.
• Adverb: Completely, utterly, thoroughly, absolutely, positively.

Related Phrases

• In downright fashion: In a completely straightforward or blunt manner.
  • He refused the offer in downright fashion, with no polite excuses. (He refused the offer bluntly.)

Idioms

• No idiom specifically centers on "downright," but it is frequently used in idiomatic expressions of emphasis, such as " disgraceful" or " hilarious," to stress the speaker's strong feeling.

Adjective

1. complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
   • absolute freedom
   • an absolute dimwit
   • a downright lie
   • out-and-out mayhem
   • an out-and-out lie
   • a rank outsider
   • many right-down vices
   • got the job through sheer persistence
   • sheer stupidity
2. characterized by plain blunt honesty
   • a downright answer
   • a downright kind of person

Adverb

1. thoroughgoing
   • he is outright dishonest