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Definition of homely

homely

/ˈhoʊm.li/
home · ly
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homely Lexical Profile

homely Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

North American Unattractive or plain in physical appearance.

Example

"The stray dog was rather homely, with uneven ears and a patchy coat, but the family adopted him immediately."

2

British Simple, cozy, and comfortable in a way that evokes the warmth of home.

Example

"The country inn offered a homely atmosphere with a crackling fireplace and freshly baked bread."

3

Simple, ordinary, and unpretentious; suited to everyday domestic life.

Example

"The speaker illustrated his philosophical argument with a few homely examples drawn from gardening and cooking."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for homely
Antonyms
View all antonyms for homely

Word Nuance & Usage

"Homely" carries sharply different connotations depending on the region: in British English, it is a compliment meaning cozy, warm, and welcoming (like North American "homey"), whereas in North American English, it means plain or physically unattractive.

• Rhymes for homely

• Nearby Words

homelessness
homelike
homeliness
homely
homemade
homemaker
homemaking

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from "home" plus the adjective suffix "-ly," originally meaning "belonging to the household" or "familiar," before branching into the senses of "unpretentious" and "plain-looking."

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Homely. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/homely
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