comely

/ˈkʌmli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkʌmli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkəm-lē also ˈkōm- or ˈkäm-/ (ame, mw)

comely — adjective

  • comelypositive
  • comeliercomparative
  • comeliestsuperlative

1. having a pleasant, wholesome appearance that is graceful and gentle rather than

1.形容詞C1
釋義

having a pleasant, wholesome appearance that is graceful and gentle rather than strikingly or glamorously beautiful — used mostly in literature, historical writing, or deliberately formal speech, and most often describing women and children.

例句

The innkeeper's daughter was a comely young woman with rosy cheeks and a warm smile.

Mei-Lin's comely features and gentle manner made her a favourite among the village elders.

describing facial features with a positive connotation

同義詞
  • pretty

    the common modern word for an attractive woman or child; neutral and widely used in everyday speech

  • handsome

    often describes men, or women with strong, well-proportioned features; comely is softer

  • good-looking

    gender-neutral and very common; comely has a distinctly literary or old-fashioned tone

反義詞
  • plain

    ordinary in appearance, without attractive features

  • homely

    British English for plain or unattractive — the direct opposite of comely

用法筆記

Comely is old-fashioned and now used mostly in literature, historical fiction, or deliberately formal writing. It describes a wholesome, gentle attractiveness rather than glamorous or striking beauty. In modern everyday conversation, speakers prefer 'pretty', 'attractive', or 'good-looking'.

常見錯誤

❌She is a comely supermodel on the catwalk.
✅She is a striking supermodel on the catwalk.
💡'comely' suggests wholesome, gentle attractiveness, which clashes with high-fashion, glamorous contexts.