down-to-earth

adjective

ˈdau̇n-tü-ˈərth How to pronounce down-to-earth (audio)
Definition of down-to-earthnext
1
as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness we were all impressed by how down-to-earth the movie star turned out to be

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pragmatic
willing to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly a down-to-earth guidance counselor who is frank in telling students which colleges they're likely to get into

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of down-to-earth The classic V-neck top features a raw hem for a relaxed, down-to-earth feel, while the loose straight-leg pant keeps you comfortable as the days start to cool. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 Like her name, the character has an ethereal but down-to-earth quality that everyone can relate to. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 Sep. 2026 Unlike its ritzier northern neighbor Naples (where luxury shopping and homes are the norm), Marco Island has a decidedly more down-to-earth feel. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026 An asphalt paving contractor, Dean had a down-to-earth sensibility that grounded Parton’s glamour, and opposites could not have attracted more. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for down-to-earth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-earth
  1. humble
  2. pragmatic
  3. meek
  4. realistic
  5. modest
  6. practical
Adjective
  • Different generations will get misty-eyed over various models Schwinn produced, from the humble safety bike to the Sting-Ray, which took its design cues from American muscle cars, to sleek race bikes such as the Paramount.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Obeying Christ, the soon-to-be disciples got a hands-on lesson in the power of deeper, more humble prayers rather than surface-level efforts.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of humble
Adjective
  • Other executives describe him as pragmatic, meticulous, and unifying.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Barkov, a workout fiend, is taking a pragmatic approach to his latest injury.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of pragmatic
Adjective
  • Moore plays Mona, a meek, thoroughly unseen wife and mother who impulsively decides to audition for a community theater musical despite having no experience.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The visitors were meek and the poorest performers of the four opponents, but how much of that is down to the way Leeds played?
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of meek
Adjective
  • The latest 104-qubit simulation, however, accounts for realistic hardware noise, allowing researchers to examine how errors affect magic state cultivation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Washington should work with allies’ defense industries and military planners to come up with a new division of labor, set force levels, and create a realistic timetable to meet their goals.
    — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of realistic
Adjective
  • Scheibenbogen reports that the kids who cut out social media entirely showed modest increases in mental well-being that started wearing off five weeks later.
    — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The Net Book Agreement allowed discounts only for schoolbooks and a modest consideration for public libraries (5 percent).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of modest
Adjective
  • This is the practical discipline of moving ever onward in the face of ambiguity.
    — Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Its experimental results could help determine whether fast-spectrum molten chloride reactors can progress toward practical applications, including future maritime power systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of practical

Browse Nearby Words

downtimes
down-to-earth
down-to-earthness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Down-to-earth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-to-earth. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All