homely

American  

[hohm-lee] / ˈhoʊm li /

adjective

homelier, homeliest

1. lacking in physical attractiveness; not beautiful; unattractive.

   a homely child.

2. not having elegance, refinement, or cultivation.

3. proper or suited to the home or to ordinary domestic life; plain; unpretentious.

   homely food.

4. commonly seen or known.

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homely British  

/ ˈhəʊmlɪ /

adjective

1. characteristic of or suited to the ordinary home; unpretentious

2. 1. warm and domesticated in manner or appearance

   2. plain or ugly

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Related Words

Simple, homely ( homey ), homelike, plain imply absence of adornment or embellishment. Something that is simple is not elaborate or complex: a simple kind of dress. In the United States, homely usually suggests absence of natural beauty: an unattractive person almost homely enough to be called ugly. In England, the word suggests a wholesome simplicity without artificial refinement or elegance; since it characterizes that which is comfortable and attractive, it is equivalent to homey : a homely cottage. Homelike also emphasizes comfort and attractiveness, but it conveys less strongly than does homey a sense of intimate security: a homelike interior, arrangement, atmosphere. Something that is plain has little or no adornment: expensive but plain clothing.

Other Word Forms

• homeliness noun
• overhomeliness noun
• overhomely adjective
• unhomeliness noun
• unhomely adjective

Etymology

Origin of homely

First recorded in 1300–50, homely is from the Middle English word homly. See home, -ly

Explanation

Homely describes someone who's plain or unattractive, like your homely Aunt Agnes or her squish-faced bulldog. The adjective homely is a slightly more gentle word than ugly, with a meaning closer to "plain" than "hideous." It's almost always used to describe a less-than-attractive person, and occasionally an animal. If you were British, you'd use homely to mean "cozy and homelike," but in the United States you'd say "homey." Be careful not to confuse homey with homely, or you could accidentally hurt someone's feelings.

Example Sentences

Jenny Nimmo, the head of inclusion at East Midlands Academy Trust, which runs Prince William Academy, says the unit will have more "homely" classrooms and on-site mental health provision.

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2025

At the game’s outset, the calm before the unleashing of a cosmic horror storm, the player explores homely cabins littered with the paraphernalia of private lives: comforting trinkets, family photos.

From New York Times • Jun. 17, 2024

Volkswagen was perhaps Sirowitz’s most important account, and the homely Beetle, nicknamed the “Bug,” was his and copywriter Robert Levenson’s automotive muse.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2024

They have their points, but none improves on the homely originals.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2023

Not plain as in homely plain, but even plain.

From "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia

Related Words

• plain