comely
gb/kˈʌmli/ us/kˈʌmli/
C2
English
~ 8900
szemrevaló, illendő
C2
LITERARY
1
szemrevaló
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone]/[something] is comely; a comely [noun]
The painter chose a comely village girl as his model.
A festő egy szemrevaló falusi lányt választott modellnek.
He was struck by her comely face and calm, steady eyes.
Lenyűgözte a nő szemrevaló arca és nyugodt, biztos tekintete.
In the story, a comely maiden waits by the sea for her lost lover.
Despite her comely appearance, she was valued more for her sharp mind.
A row of comely cottages lined the narrow country lane.
Learner examples
She is a comely young woman with a warm smile.
Ő egy szemrevaló fiatal nő, meleg mosollyal.
The actor has a comely face that many people like.
A színésznek szemrevaló arca van, amit sokan kedvelnek.
They lived in a small, comely house near the lake.
A comely girl stood at the door and welcomed us.
He married a comely farmer’s daughter from the next village.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "comely" is a common everyday word like "pretty" or "beautiful". In modern English it sounds literary or old-fashioned and is used mainly in writing or for stylistic effect. It is also sometimes confused in spelling with "calmly" or "homely"; these words are unrelated in meaning.
Meaning
pleasant and attractive to look at
Collocations
comely young woman
|comely face
|comely features
|comely maiden
|comely figure
|comely lass
Synonyms
attractive (The most common modern word; neutral in style, without the old-fashioned or literary feeling of "comely.")
Antonyms
unattractive (General opposite, suggesting someone or something is not pleasant to look at.)
Themes
appearance
|relationships
|art
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Physically good-looking, in a soft or simple way; nice to look at.
Physically pleasant and attractive to look at, in a way that is often gentle, wholesome, or old-fashioned.
C2
ARCHAIC
2
illendő
C1
Usage pattern:
it is comely [to do something]; comely [behavior/manner]
The preacher urged the congregation to live in a comely and orderly fashion.
A prédikátor arra buzdította a gyülekezetet, hogy illendő és rendezett módon éljen.
In older texts, guests are advised to show comely behavior at the table.
Régebbi szövegekben azt tanácsolják a vendégeknek, hogy az asztalnál illendően viselkedjenek.
He believed it was only comely to stand when an elder entered the room.
The code of the school demanded comely conduct from all pupils.
It is not comely to speak so harshly of one’s parents, the old woman scolded.
Learner examples
In this old book, the writer talks about comely behavior in church.
Ebben a régi könyvben az író illendő viselkedésről beszél a templomban.
The teacher in the story wants the children to act in a comely way.
A történetben a tanító azt akarja, hogy a gyerekek illendően viselkedjenek.
The king expects comely conduct from all his servants.
In that time, it was seen as comely to bow to important people.
The rules in the story say that loud talk is not comely during dinner.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use this sense in modern speech to mean "appropriate" or "polite". In current English, this use of "comely" sounds archaic or biblical; words like "proper", "appropriate", or "decent" should be used instead.
Meaning
proper, decent, or suitable
Collocations
comely behavior
|comely manners
|comely conduct
|it is comely to
|in a comely manner
Synonyms
proper (Very close in meaning, but "proper" is the normal modern word, while "comely" sounds archaic or biblical in this sense.)
Antonyms
improper (Describes behavior or actions that are not socially or morally acceptable, the opposite of "comely" in this sense.)
Themes
society
|morality
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Behaving or looking in a way that people in a group think is right and proper; suitable and decent.
Proper, decent, or suitable in behavior or appearance, according to social or moral standards; fitting.
Grammar
Dictionary form
comely
IPA
GB/kˈʌmli/
US/kˈʌmli/
Syllables & stress
comely (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (comely)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: comely
Word family
Related words
comeliness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
uncomely
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.