right-down
/'raitdaun/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Complete, absolute, thoroughgoing: Used to emphasize that something is total, unqualified, or without any restriction. It often carries an informal or emphatic tone.
- Outright, sheer: Describes something that is unmistakably and completely what it is said to be.
Adverb:
- Positively, absolutely: Used for emphasis to mean "completely" or "thoroughly."
Examples
Adjective:
- He is a right-down scoundrel. (He is a complete and utter scoundrel.)
- That's a right-down lie! (That is an absolute, outright lie.)
Adverb:
- She was right-down furious. (She was absolutely furious.)
- I'm right-down tired of this nonsense. (I am completely tired of this nonsense.)
Advanced Usage
- "right-down" as an intensifier: The word is often used in informal contexts to add strong emphasis, similar to "utterly" or "downright."
- It was a right-down disgrace. (It was an utter disgrace.)
Variants and Related Words
- Downright (adj/adv): This is a more common synonym with identical meanings (complete, absolute; thoroughly).
- That was downright rude.
- Out-and-out (adj): Another synonym meaning absolute or complete.
- He's an out-and-out liar.
- Sheer (adj): Often used similarly to mean complete and unmixed.
- It was sheer luck.
Synonyms
- Absolute: Complete and total.
- Utter: Complete, often used for negative qualities.
- Unmitigated: Absolute, not lessened or qualified.
- Thoroughgoing: Carried out thoroughly and completely.
Related Phrases
- "A regular right-down bad 'un": An idiomatic phrase, famously used by Charles Dickens, meaning a thoroughly bad person or villain.
- The character in the novel was described as a regular right-down bad 'un.
Adjective
- 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
Adverb
- positively
- a regular right-down bad 'un--Charles Dickens