Comely means pleasant to look at or attractive in a wholesome, natural way. When someone describes a person as comely, they mean that person has an appealing appearance that isn't flashy or overdone but genuinely nice to see.

The word has an old-fashioned quality to it. You're more likely to find it in classic novels than in everyday conversation today. In older stories, authors might describe a comely young woman with rosy cheeks and bright eyes, or a comely gentleman with a kind face and good posture.

Comely suggests physical beauty combined with health, cheerfulness, and good proportion. A comely face might be described as fresh and open rather than dramatically beautiful. Think of it as the difference between a flower garden that looks naturally beautiful and a fancy parade float covered in glitter.

While people rarely use comely in modern speech, understanding it helps when reading older books. When you encounter the word, picture someone whose appearance is genuinely pleasant and appealing in a straightforward, unpretentious way.