What does comely mean?
Comely is an adjective meaning pleasing to look at — attractive in a wholesome, graceful, or agreeable way rather than in a striking or glamorous one. A comely person might be described as having a pleasant face, a good figure, or an easy, appealing manner. The word is now somewhat old-fashioned: it survives mainly in literature, historical fiction, biblical prose, and deliberately formal or quaint writing, where it lends an air of gentility. Its connotation is warmly positive but restrained, suggesting modest beauty rather than showiness. Comely derives from Old English and was originally broader in meaning, indicating something fitting, suitable, or well-formed; over time it narrowed almost entirely to physical attractiveness. It also yields the noun 'comeliness', meaning the quality of being attractive. Writers reach for comely precisely because of its antique charm — it evokes shepherds, courtly scenes, and village maidens — making it a useful word for adding period flavor or a touch of understated praise to descriptions of people.
Pleasing or attractive in appearance, especially in a wholesome or graceful manner.
"A comely maiden stood by the well, drawing water in the evening light."
Often used in literary, biblical, or archaic contexts; can sound affected in everyday modern speech.
Archaic sense: fitting, suitable, or proper.
"It seemed not comely for a knight to flee the field."
This sense is obsolete in modern usage but appears in older texts.
Comely once meant 'fitting' or 'suitable' before it narrowed to mean beautiful — and it shares an ancient root with 'merry'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of comely
Comely comes from Middle English 'comeli', adapted from Old Norse 'kænn' via the phrase 'gafr kænn' — more directly, it developed from Old English 'cymlic', meaning 'fine, splendid, or fitting', which itself derives from 'cuman', related to Old English 'cyme' ('fitting, suitable'). The underlying sense of something that 'befits' or suits a person shifted by the Middle English period toward physical beauty. It is distantly connected to the Germanic root behind 'merry', both conveying notions of pleasantness. The noun form 'comeliness' appeared alongside it in Middle English.
Related word forms
How comely is actually used
Comely is now somewhat dated and literary, often carrying a wholesome, modest connotation rather than glamorous beauty. It appears frequently in historical fiction, translations of older literature, and biblical-style prose. It is a positive term, unlike its near-rhyme 'homely'.
Easily confused with comely
Homely means plain or unattractive (especially in American English), essentially the opposite of comely; the two words rhyme but differ in meaning entirely.