Homely: meaning, definitions and examples

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homely

 

[ ˈhoʊmli ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling of comfort

Simple, cozy, and comfortable in a way that makes you feel at home. Refers to a warm and welcoming atmosphere, often associated with a sense of familiarity and security.

Synonyms

comfortable, cozy, familiar, welcoming

Examples of usage

  • It was a homely little cottage, with a crackling fire and soft blankets.
  • The homely aroma of freshly baked bread filled the kitchen.
Context #2 | Adjective

unattractive appearance

Plain or unattractive in appearance. Lacking elegance or beauty, usually used to describe a person's physical appearance.

Synonyms

plain, ugly, unappealing, unattractive

Examples of usage

  • Despite her homely looks, she had a warm and friendly personality.
  • He was a homely man, with a kind smile that lit up his face.

Translations

Translations of the word "homely" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aconchegante

🇮🇳 साधारण

🇩🇪 häuslich

🇮🇩 sederhana

🇺🇦 затишний

🇵🇱 domowy

🇯🇵 家庭的な

🇫🇷 chaleureux

🇪🇸 acogedor

🇹🇷 sıcak

🇰🇷 아늑한

🇸🇦 مريح

🇨🇿 pohodlný

🇸🇰 útulný

🇨🇳 温馨的

🇸🇮 udoben

🇮🇸 kósý

🇰🇿 жайлы

🇬🇪 მოსახერხებელი

🇦🇿 rahat

🇲🇽 acogedor

Word origin

The word 'homely' has a long history, dating back to Old English. Originally, it meant 'belonging to a home' or 'domestic'. Over time, it developed two distinct meanings: one related to comfort and coziness, and the other related to plain or unattractive appearance. The dual nature of 'homely' reflects the complexity of the concept of home and beauty in human experience.

See also: home, homebuyers, homeland, homeless, homelessness, homeliness, homemade, homepage, hometown, homewear, homework, homewrecker.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,261, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.