downright

American  

[doun-rahyt] / ˈdaʊnˌraɪt /

adjective

1. thorough; absolute; out-and-out.

   a downright falsehood.

2. frankly direct; straightforward.

   a downright person.

   Synonyms:

   blunt, frank, open, forthright, candid

3. Archaic. directed straight downward.

   a downright blow.

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adverb

1. completely or thoroughly.

   I'm not just upset—I'm downright angry.

downright British  

/ ˈdaʊnˌraɪt /

adjective

1. frank or straightforward; blunt

   downright speech

2. archaic directed or pointing straight down

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adverb

1. (intensifier)

   a downright certainty

   downright rude

Other Word Forms

• downrightly adverb
• downrightness noun

Etymology

Origin of downright

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; down ¹, right

Example Sentences

Others are downright zany, like widening the foul lines in the outfield to create larger landing areas for doubles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Depending on the season, Nebraska had been downright terrible or just slightly unlucky, a team in over its head or guilty of underperforming.

From The Wall Street Journal

Let’s be clear, the breast cancer statistics for women are downright frightening: One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

From Los Angeles Times

At times, they have even been downright rude.

From MarketWatch

If all of that sounds downright crazy, it isn’t as far fetched as you might think.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• damned
• outright