comely

[kuhm-lee]

adjective

comelier, comeliest 

1. pleasing in appearance; attractive; fair.

   a comely face.

   Synonyms: personable, good-looking, beautiful, handsome, pretty

2. proper; seemly; becoming.

   comely behavior.

comely

/ ˈkʌmlɪ /

adjective

1. good-looking; attractive

Other Word Forms

• comeliness noun
• comelily adverb
• uncomely adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of comely¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English cumli, Old English cȳmlīc “lovely,” equivalent to cȳme “exquisite” (cognate with Middle High German kūme “weak, tender,” German kaum (adverb) “with difficulty,” Old High German kūmo ) + -līc -ly

Word History and Origins

Origin of comely¹

Old English cӯmlīc beautiful; related to Old High German cūmi frail, Middle High German komlīche suitably

Example Sentences

And it actually worked, thanks to its comely co-stars and a little help — OK, a lot of help — from TikTok.

From Los Angeles Times

The comely couple, who wed in 2015, announced earlier this week that they had “made the difficult decision to divorce.”

From Los Angeles Times

To never clonk antlers with another bull or convince a comely cow that his genes are the best?

From Seattle Times

The bit was funny enough, but I was aware while watching it that it wouldn't have worked at all if Colbert had been putting a comely actress through the paces.

From Salon

The comely couple has been gossip fodder for nearly two decades.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• good-looking 
• winsome