Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

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

Adverb

1. positively
   • a regular right-down bad 'un--Charles Dickens