Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Thoroughgoing; unequivocal.
- adjective Forthright; candid.
- adverb Thoroughly; absolutely.
from The Century Dictionary.
- Right down; straight down; perpendicularly.
- In plain terms; without ceremony or circumlocution.
- Completely; thoroughly; utterly: as, he is downright mad.
- Forthwith; without delay; at once.
- Directed vertically; coming straight down.
- Directly to the point; plain; unambiguous; unevasive.
- Using plain, direct language; accustomed to express opinions directly and bluntly; blunt.
- Complete; absolute; utter.
- noun One of the lower qualities or sorts of a fleece of wool.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adverb Straight down; perpendicularly.
- adverb In plain terms; without ceremony.
- adverb obsolete Without delay; at once; completely.
- adjective Plain; direct; forthright; unceremonious; blunt; positive.
- adjective Open; artless; undisguised; absolute; unmixed.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective Directed vertically; coming straight down.
- adjective Directly to the point;
plain ;unambiguous ;unevasive . - adjective Using plain direct language; accustomed to express opinions directly and bluntly;
blunt . - adjective
Complete ;absolute ;utter . - adverb
Really ;actually ;quite ;thoroughly ;utterly .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adverb thoroughgoing
- adjective characterized by plain blunt honesty
- adjective complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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"Dat's what I calls downright robbery, Kun'l," he exclaimed, highly incensed.
Mary Louise in the Country J. Allen St. [Illustrator] John 1887
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Even when I introduced them in the most delicate way, he was what I call downright rude.
The Squire of Sandal-Side A Pastoral Romance Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr 1875
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Men are better judges of that than women; but for high, chivalrous spirit, for true principle and nobility, and what I call downright worth, I don't think you will easily find her superior.
The Eustace Diamonds Trollope, Anthony, 1815-1882 1872
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"It's what I call downright Radical nonsense," said Mrs. Low, nodding her head energetically.
Phineas Finn Trollope, Anthony, 1815-1882 1869
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"It's what I call downright Radical nonsense," said Mrs Low, nodding her head energetically.
Phineas Finn 1867
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"It's what I call downright Radical nonsense," said Mrs. Low, nodding her head energetically.
Phineas Finn The Irish Member Anthony Trollope 1848
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Men are better judges of that than women; but for high, chivalrous spirit, for true principle and nobility, and what I call downright worth, I don't think you will easily find her superior.
The Eustace Diamonds Anthony Trollope 1848
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In resubmitting the legislation for renewal of what many consider the most controversial provisions -- and some label downright unconstitutional provisions -- within the Patriot Act, the Republican Rules Committee decided to allow only 60 minutes of debate.
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A lull; "You let that child alone!" child, evidently of few years, screaming in downright terror.
THOSE ON THE EDGE 2010
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But lets face the facts when it comes to the actual execution of it he downright is nothing short of a failure.
How's Obama doing? 2009
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