comely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is attractive or pleasing in appearance. Example: "The comely young woman caught everyone's attention as she walked into the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The 1799 self-portrait is more comely, its features fair and balanced.

The Guardian - Film

The film shows Reza, resplendent in gown and turban, flirting with a comely widow, picking the pocket of a Tehran swell and fluffing his lines after inadvertently becoming prayer leader of a small-town mosque.In this section Crime and punishment DeBaathify, then reBaathify?

The Economist

First, burst onto the scene with some bold, voice-of-the-generation debut preferably with a comely author photo.

The Economist

Its first manifestation was kerb service, with meals delivered to motorists by comely young carhops.

The Economist

His poem of 1650, "An Horatian Ode upon Cromwell's Return from Ireland", though effusive about the Lord Protector, also describes the dignity of the king upon the scaffold: "But bowed his comely head/ Down, as upon a bed".Marvell became an MP, being a diligent member for his home town of Hull and an effective satirical pamphleteer.

The Economist

Recently a Russian newspaper, Moskovsky Korrespondent, published a widespread rumour about the supposed relationship of President Vladimir Putin with a comely gymnast, Alina Kabaeva.

The Economist

Casting directors increasingly hire them, keen for comely faces.

The Economist

Mr Berlusconi, who is reportedly spending a lot of time at the firm, will have plenty to distract him from Mediaset's comely presenters.

The Economist

That said, Ms Applebaum is reaching for an excellent point: freedom and wealth not only increase the supply of evidently comely ladies, but increase the supply of excellence generally:Beauty is a matter of luck, but the same could be said of many other talents.

The Economist

At first public sympathy for their plight was more muted than it had been for Schapelle Corby, a comely 27-year-old who was arrested in Indonesia in 2004 and convicted of smuggling marijuana into Bali.

The Economist

Body doubles mill in the hallway waiting to film a prison fight scene between a comely murderess and another woman.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comely" when you want to evoke a slightly old-fashioned or literary tone. It's particularly effective in historical fiction or when describing traditional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "comely" in contemporary, informal writing where more common terms like "attractive" or "good-looking" would be more appropriate. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "comely" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe their appearance, indicating that they are pleasing or attractive. Ludwig AI provides examples such as "a comely widow" or "comely hostesses" illustrating its use to describe people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comely" functions as an adjective denoting attractiveness or pleasant appearance. While grammatically correct, its usage leans toward neutral and formal registers, often found in News & Media, as Ludwig AI confirms. While "comely" is a valid word, modern writers may find it more suitable for historical or literary contexts. Alternatives such as "attractive", "good-looking", or "beautiful" might be more appropriate for contemporary writing. The most authoritative sources that use the term are The Economist, The New Yorker, The Independent, Encyclopedia Britannica and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Attractive

A general term for physical appeal, lacking the slightly old-fashioned tone of "comely".

Good-looking

A more casual and common way to describe someone who is attractive.

Beautiful

Implies a higher degree of aesthetic appeal; more intense than "comely".

Fair

Emphasizes a pleasing appearance, aligning with one aspect of "comely's" meaning.

Pleasing to the eye

A descriptive phrase that conveys the attractive quality suggested by "comely".

Lovely

A more gentle and affectionate term for attractiveness.

Handsome

Specifically used for males, whereas "comely" is often applied to females or things.

Pretty

A more common and less formal term for attractive, typically used for women or girls.

Sightly

Highlights the visual appeal, similar to one aspect of "comely".

Bonny

A somewhat archaic term, similar in tone and meaning to "comely", suggesting pleasant appearance.

FAQs

How to use "comely" in a sentence?

You can use "comely" to describe someone or something pleasing in appearance, as in "a comely young woman" or "a comely landscape."

What can I say instead of "comely"?

You can use alternatives like "attractive", "good-looking", or "beautiful" depending on the context.

Is "comely" still used today?

Yes, "comely" is still used, though it's more common in literary or historical contexts and less frequent in everyday conversation.

What is the difference between "comely" and "beautiful"?

"Beautiful" implies a higher degree of aesthetic appeal, whereas "comely" suggests a more understated and pleasing appearance. "Comely" also carries a slightly old-fashioned connotation.