Homey vs. Homely

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A woman in Omaha, Nebraska, wonders about the difference between the adjectives homey and homely. In the UK, the word homely is still a positive term that means cozy, whereas in the US it usually means “unattractive” or “plain-looking.” This is part of a complete episode.

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  • In the Lord of the Rings, Rivendell is called the “Last Homely House East of the Sea”, in the British use of homely.

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