[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/homely/)

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# homely

adjective (homely, homelier, homeliest)

«homely» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (UK, Australia) Homely means simple, warm and comfortable, like a cosy home. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/homely/#m1)
2. (US, Canada) Homely means plain and not good-looking. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/homely/#m2)

### In the lessons

In everyday British and Australian talk a homely café or room is cosy and welcoming. In American English calling someone homely is unkind. Phrases: a homely kitchen, a homely feel.

### Examples

- The cottage had a homely feel with its fire and soft chairs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/homely/#x1)
- Grandma cooks homely food like stew and pie. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/homely/#x2)
- The guest house was small and homely. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/homely/#x3)
- In the story, the homely farm girl turned out to be brave. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/homely/#x4)
- We love the homely smell of baking bread. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/homely/#x5)
- The hotel was not grand, but very homely. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/homely/#x6)
- A cradle is such a nice homely thing to have about a house.” [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/homely/#x7)

### Note

Big trap between countries: in the UK it is praise (cosy); in the US it is a criticism of looks (plain). Do not mix up with "homey" or "homelike". Avoid calling a person homely.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «homely» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/homely/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«homely» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/homely.html) on Mova free.