comely Hear it!

comely Definition

comely (kum)

adjective comelier -·lier, comeliest -·li·est

  1. pleasant to look at; attractive; fair
  2. Archaic seemly; decorous; proper

Etymology: ME comli < OE cymlic < cyme, lovely, delicate, orig., feeble; akin to MHG kume, weak (Ger kaum, scarcely) < IE base *gou-, to cry out > Gr goaein, to groan, bewail

Related Forms:

comely Synonyms

comely

modif.

pretty, pleasing, attractive, handsome; see beautiful 2, handsome 1. See syn. study at beautiful.

comely Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • face: It is a merry race; Flowers laugh to birds that sing, Yet frequent tears shall cloud her comely face.
  • woman: The hostess, a comely woman, suckling a child, examined the traveler with kindly and pitying eyes.
  • wench: In particular, when faced with a large group of comely wenches, the surprise and joy on his face was a picture.
  • lady: The public demand to see comely young ladies tackling the roles of Jack, Dick Whittington, Aladdin etc is very easily explained.
  • lass: It was here in the days long past lived a comely buxom lass who was employed a the dairy maid.
  • maid: Along with comely maid Catalina ( Nadine Velazquez ), they set off to right more wrongs.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: She is very comely, with the beauty indigenous to this country.
  • so: I could not bear to arrest so lively, so comely a process.
comely Quotes

All other parts remaining as they were, And they, so perfect in their misery, Not once perceive their foul disfigurement, But boast themselves more comely than before And all their friends, and native home forget To roll with pleasure in a sensual sty.

—Milton,John

'Why weep ye by the tide, ladie? Why weep ye by the tide? I'll wed ye to my youngest son, And ye sall be his bride: And ye sall be his bride, ladie, Sae comely to be seen'ö But aye she loot the tears down fa' For Jock of Hazeldean.

—Scott, Sir Walter

Browse dictionary entries near comely

  1. comeliness
  2. comeliest
  3. comelier
  4. comedy of manners
  5. comedy
  6. comedown
  7. comedos
  8. comedones
  9. comedo
  10. comedies
  1. Comenius
  2. comer
  3. comestible
  4. comestibles
  5. comet
  6. cometary
  7. cometic
  8. comeuppance
  9. comfier
  10. comfiest