HOMELY

homely, plain

(adjective) lacking in physical beauty or proportion; “a homely child”; “several of the buildings were downright homely”; “a plain girl with a freckled face”

homelike, homely, homey, homy

(adjective) having a feeling of home; cozy and comfortable; “the homely everyday atmosphere”; “a homey little inn”

homely

(adjective) without artificial refinement or elegance; “plain homely furniture”; “homely manners”

homely

(adjective) plain and unpretentious; “homely truths”; “letters to his son full of homely advice”; “homely fare”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

homely (comparative homelier or more homely, superlative homeliest or most homely)

(North America) Lacking in beauty or elegance, plain in appearance, physically unattractive.

Antonym: comely

(India) Cozy, befitting a home.

(archaic) Characteristic of or belonging to home; domestic. [from early 14th c.]

(UK dialectal) On intimate or friendly terms with (someone); familiar; at home (with a person); intimate.

(UK dialectal, of animals) Domestic; tame.

(UK dialectal) Personal; private.

(UK dialectal) Friendly; kind; gracious; cordial.

(India) Conservative and family-oriented.

(archaic) Simple; plain; familiar; unelaborate; unadorned. [from late 14th c.]

Source: Wiktionary

Home"ly, a. [Compar. Homelier; superl. Homeliest.] Etym: [From Home, n.]

1. Belonging to, or having the characteristics of, home; domestic; familiar; intimate. [Archaic] With all these men I was right homely, and communed with, them long and oft. Foxe. Their homely joys, and destiny obscure. Gray.

2. Plain; unpretending; rude in appearance; unpolished; as, a homely garment; a homely house; homely fare; homely manners. Now Strephon daily entertains His Chloe in the homeliest strains. Pope.

3. Of plain or coarse features; uncomely; -- contrary to handsome. None so homely but loves a looking-glass. South.

Home"ly, adv.

Definition: Plainly; rudely; coarsely; as, homely dressed. [R.] Spenser.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition