Downright: meaning, definitions and examples
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downright
[หdaสnraษชt ]
Definitions
emphasizing degree
Downright is used as an adverb to emphasize the degree or intensity of a quality or situation, often implying that it is extreme or unequivocal. It can be used in both a positive and negative context, suggesting something is completely or absolutely true. The term often indicates a level of honesty or bluntness in assessments or opinions.
Synonyms
absolutely, completely, totally.
Examples of usage
- It's downright unfair to treat people this way.
- Her performance was downright impressive.
- This is downright ridiculous.
emphasizing quality
As an adjective, downright is used to describe something as being completely or totally a certain way, often with a connotation of being straightforward or blunt about it. It conveys an unambiguous and clear quality, whether good or bad. This usage often appears in expressions that highlight something as undeniably true or apparent.
Synonyms
categorical, explicit, outright.
Examples of usage
- That was a downright lie.
- Heโs a downright good person.
- The weather was downright awful.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from combining 'down' (to a lower place) and 'right' (correct or true), emphasizing a total situation.
- It first appeared in English texts around the early 18th century, gaining popularity for expressing strong ideas.
Language Usage
- It's often used in literature and conversation to stress the certainty or extreme nature of something.
- Writers might use 'downright' to convey strong opinions, making their statements more persuasive and emphatic.
Cultural References
- 'Downright' is frequently found in folk tales and jokes, highlighting exaggerated truths (e.g., 'That story is downright funny!').
- In various songs and movies, characters use 'downright' to underscore their emotions or situations, adding a dramatic flair.
Psychological Perspective
- Using emphatic language like 'downright' can enhance interpersonal communication by clarifying the speaker's feelings.
- Research suggests that strong language can influence how seriously the message is taken by the audience.
Translations
Translations of the word "downright" in other languages:
๐ต๐น absolutamente
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเคคเฅเคฏ
๐ฉ๐ช absolut
๐ฎ๐ฉ sama sekali
๐บ๐ฆ ะฐะฑัะพะปััะฝะพ
๐ต๐ฑ absolutnie
๐ฏ๐ต ใพใฃใใ
๐ซ๐ท absolument
๐ช๐ธ absolutamente
๐น๐ท kesinlikle
๐ฐ๐ท ์ ๋์ ์ผ๋ก
๐ธ๐ฆ ุชู ุงู ูุง
๐จ๐ฟ naprosto
๐ธ๐ฐ รบplne
๐จ๐ณ ๅฎๅ จๅฐ
๐ธ๐ฎ popolnoma
๐ฎ๐ธ algjรถrlega
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะพะปัาัะผะตะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ tamamilษ
๐ฒ๐ฝ absolutamente