adverb
downright
DOWN-ryt
adverb
1
Thoroughly or absolutely — used to intensify an adjective.
"That comment was downright rude."
"The plan is downright dangerous."
adjective
1
Direct and plain in manner or speech.
"He gave a downright answer with no hedging."
How to Use Downright
Learner’s notesIn 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
Word Forms
more downright comparative, downrights plural, most downright superlative
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Etymology
From Middle English dounright, from doun ("down") plus right, originally meaning "straight down" before shifting to mean "utterly" or "plainly."