complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers; "absolute freedom"; "an absolute dimwit"; "a downright lie"; "out-and-out mayhem"; "an out-and-out lie"; "a rank outsider"; "many right-down vices"; "got the job through sheer persistence"; "sheer stupidity"
emphasis You use downright to emphasize unpleasant or bad qualities or behaviour. ideas that would have been downright dangerous if put into practice = positively Downright is also an adjective. downright bad manners. used to emphasize that something is completely bad or untrue