homely

adj

1. Characteristic of, belonging to, or befitting a home; domestic, cosy.

   “An interesting illustration of this is the way in which the English flower names which were in use till very recently are being ousted by Greek ones, snapdragon becoming antirrhinum, forget-me-not becoming myosotis, etc. It is hard to see any practical reason for this change of fashion: it is probably due to an instinctive turning-away from the more homely word and a vague feeling that the Greek word is scientific.”

   “Other homely details in the stories — preparing a salad, diapering a baby”

   “Mowgli: "Oh, don't worry Chota, it may not be homely, but I can warm it up."”

2. (Canada, US)Lacking in beauty or elegance, plain in appearance, physically unattractive.

   “There is none so homely but loves a looking-glass.”

   “"I can't send a young, pretty girl, or for that matter even a homely one if you'd have her, on a job like this without telling her what to expect."”

   “You see, she sees herself as a starlet; I see her as a sturdy, healthy but decidedly homely kid.”

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

   “With all these men I was right homely, and communed with them long and oft.”

4. (UK, dialectal)Domestic; tame.
5. (UK, dialectal)Personal; private.
6. (UK, dialectal)Friendly; kind; gracious; cordial.
7. (India)Conservative and family-oriented.

   “I am seeking a beautiful homely girl for marriage.”

8. Simple; plain; familiar; unelaborate; unadorned.

   “a homely garment”

   “homely fare”

   “homely manners”

   “Now Strephon daily entertains His Chloe in the homeliest strains.”

   “There is no simple way to define precisely a complex arrangement of parts, however homely the object may appear to be.”