down-to-earth
Without airs, sensible
Down-to-earth describes someone practical, unpretentious, and sensible—not given to flights of fancy or putting on airs.
The metaphor contrasts solid ground with lofty abstraction: Despite her fame, she remained remarkably down-to-earth.
The term applies to people, attitudes, and approaches: a down-to-earth solution, down-to-earth advice.
Lacking in pretension
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
- unassumingNot making claims
- self-effacingDownplaying one's own importance
- simpleFree of complexity
plain · ordinary · unaffected · unspoiled · homespun · folksy · rustic · salt-of-the-earth
Involving direct physical engagement
- pragmaticFocused on workable solutions
- sensibleShowing good judgment
- no-nonsenseSerious and efficient
- realisticTrue to life
matter-of-fact · commonsensical · workable · functional · utilitarian · efficient · straightforward · plain-spoken
Showing kindness, warmth
- warmModerately heated, or friendly
- accessibleAble to be reached
- relatableEasy to identify with
- easygoingRelaxed in temperament
unpretentious · genuine · personable · likable · open · inviting · engaging · sociable
Placed at midpoint
- balancedIn a state of equilibrium
- stableSecure and unchanging
- rootedFirmly established in place
- anchoredFixed securely in position
levelheaded · sensible · sober · solid · reliable · dependable · consistent · steady
modest
Lacking in pretension
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
- unassumingNot making claims
- self-effacingDownplaying one's own importance
simple · plain · ordinary · unaffected · unspoiled · homespun · folksy · rustic · salt-of-the-earth · regular
hands-on
Involving direct physical engagement
- pragmaticFocused on workable solutions
- sensibleShowing good judgment
- no-nonsenseSerious and efficient
realistic · matter-of-fact · commonsensical · workable · functional · utilitarian · efficient · straightforward · plain-spoken · direct
friendly
Showing kindness, warmth
- warmModerately heated, or friendly
- accessibleAble to be reached
- relatableEasy to identify with
easygoing · unpretentious · genuine · personable · likable · open · inviting · engaging · sociable · affable
centered
Placed at midpoint
anchored · levelheaded · sensible · sober · solid · reliable · dependable · consistent · steady · composed
- practicalitypragmatism, sensible, realistic, levelheaded, common sense
- homespunfolksy, homey, rustic, homestyle, countrified
- practicalpractical, pragmatic, realistic, sensible, reasonable
- kind traitskind, caring, compassionate, nurturing, tender
- real-worldreality, facts, actual, genuine, tangible
- AmericanaAmerican flag, Fourth of July, bald eagle, Thanksgiving, apple pie
down-to-earthunrealistic
Lacking basis in reality
impractical · idealistic · starry-eyed · fanciful · quixotic
down-to-earthpretentious
Falsely grand or important
high-and-mighty · arrogant · haughty · snobbish · condescending
down-to-earthexcitable
Easily aroused emotionally
flighty · volatile · high-strung · melodramatic · overwrought
earthy, unearth, downcast, unearthly, earthenware, earthen, downhearted, unearthing, unearthed