comeliness: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Literary, Formal
Quick answer
What does “comeliness” mean?
Physical attractiveness or beauty, especially of a pleasing and wholesome kind.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Physical attractiveness or beauty, especially of a pleasing and wholesome kind.
The quality of being aesthetically pleasing or agreeable in appearance, manner, or proportion. Sometimes extended to moral or situational suitability (archaic).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British literary contexts due to archaic/poetic retention.
Connotations
Both regions share the connotations of wholesome, graceful attractiveness.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties. Arguably marginally higher recognition in UK due to exposure via older literary texts and regional dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “comeliness” in a Sentence
the comeliness of + NOUN (the comeliness of her features)possessive + comeliness (her quiet comeliness)adjective + comeliness (a wholesome comeliness)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “comeliness” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His comely features were remarked upon in the village.
American English
- She had a comely, welcoming smile.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, potentially in historical, literary, or philosophical texts discussing aesthetics.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would be perceived as very formal or old-fashioned.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “comeliness”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “comeliness”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “comeliness”
- Misspelling as 'comelyness' (correct is 'comeliness').
- Using it in casual speech where 'beauty' or 'looks' is expected.
- Pronouncing it as /koʊm-linəs/ (correct first syllable is /kʌm/ or /kəm/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare in modern English and is considered literary, formal, or archaic. The adjective 'comely' is somewhat more common but still not everyday vocabulary.
No, it can refer to the attractiveness of anyone or anything, though historical usage more frequently applied it to women. It can describe a pleasing appearance in men, landscapes, or objects.
'Beauty' is a broad, neutral term. 'Comeliness' specifically suggests a pleasing, wholesome, often modest or natural kind of attractiveness, and carries a more old-fashioned or poetic tone.
Its core meaning is physical attractiveness. Archaically, it could refer to moral suitability or decorum ('comeliness of behaviour'), but this is obsolete. Modern use is almost exclusively about appearance.
Physical attractiveness or beauty, especially of a pleasing and wholesome kind.
Comeliness is usually literary, formal in register.
Comeliness: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌmlinəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkəmliˌnəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'comeliness']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'COMELY' (attractive) person. Add '-NESS' to make it the quality they possess: comeliness.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEAUTY IS A POSSESSED OBJECT (she possessed a natural comeliness).
Practice
Quiz
Which word is LEAST likely to be a synonym for 'comeliness' in its core meaning?