adverb

downright

DOWN-ryt

adverb

Thoroughly or absolutely — used to intensify an adjective.

"That comment was downright rude."

"The plan is downright dangerous."

adjective

Direct and plain in manner or speech.

"He gave a downright answer with no hedging."

How to Use Downright

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsed before an adjective to mean "completely" or "absolutely" — as in "downright rude" or "downright impossible."

Common pairings

downright rude downright dangerous downright impossible

more downright comparative, downrights plural, most downright superlative

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That comment was _____ rude.

From Middle English dounright, from doun ("down") plus right, originally meaning "straight down" before shifting to mean "utterly" or "plainly."