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Ingenuous vs Downright - What's the difference?

ingenuous | downright | Related terms |

Ingenuous is a related term of downright.


As adjectives the difference between ingenuous and downright

is that ingenuous is naive and trusting while downright is directed vertically; coming straight down.

As an adverb downright is

really; actually; quite; thoroughly; utterly.

ingenuous

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Naive and trusting.
  • Demonstrating childlike simplicity.
  • * 1919 ,
    • "Do you mean to say you didn't leave your wife for another woman?"
    "Of course not."
    "On your word of honour?"
    I don't know why I asked for that. It was very ingenuous of me.
  • Unsophisticated; simple.
  • Unable to mask one's feelings.
  • Straightforward, candid, open, and frank.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * disingenuous

    Usage notes

    Do not confuse with ingenious.

    downright

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Directed vertically; coming straight down.
  • Directly to the point; plain; unambiguous; unevasive.
  • Using plain direct language; accustomed to express opinions directly and bluntly; blunt.
  • Complete; absolute; utter.

    • Synonyms

    * (l)

    Derived terms

    * (l)

    Adverb

    (-)
  • Really; actually; quite; thoroughly; utterly.
    • He wasn't just cool to me, he was downright rude.
  • Straight down; perpendicularly.
  • Without delay; at once.
  • * Arbuthnot
    • She fell downright into a fit.

    Usage notes

    "Downright" is used to intensify or emphasize the following adjective, which usually refers to some negative quality.