Home·ly, a. [Compar. Homelier superl. Homeliest.]
 1. Belonging to, or having the characteristics of, home; domestic; familiar; intimate. [Archaic]
    With all these men I was right homely, and communed with, them long and oft.   --Foxe.
    Their homely joys, and destiny obscure.   --Gray.
 2. Plain; unpretending; rude in appearance; unpolished; as, a homely garment; a homely house; homely fare; homely manners.
 Now Strephon daily entertains
 His Chloe in the homeliest strains.   --Pope.
 3. Of plain or coarse features; uncomely; ugly; -- usually used of people, especially women; -- contrary to handsome.
    None so homely but loves a looking-glass.   --South.


 homelier
      See homely


 homely
      adj 1: lacking in physical beauty or proportion; "a homely child";
             "several of the buildings were downright homely"; "a
             plain girl with a freckled face" [syn: plain]
      2: having a feeling of home; cozy and comfortable; "the homely
         everyday atmosphere"; "a homey little inn" [syn: homelike,
          homey, homy]
      3: plain and unpretentious; "homely truths"; "letters to his
         son full of homely advice"; "homely fare"
      4: without artificial refinement or elegance; "plain homely
         furniture"; "homely manners"
      [also: homeliest, homelier]