What is a homely young woman?

[Torsten]

Hi,

What exactly is a 'young homely woman'. I mean, what does 'homely' mean in that phrase?

Thanks,
Torsten

TOEFL listening discussions: A conversation between a university student and an adviser in the university's work-study program

[Diverhank]

To me a homely woman is one that is plain, and not so attractive. I also picture a slightly overweight woman, even though I'm not sure why.

[Skrej]

Homely simply means plain or unattractive. The opposite is comely, which means a pleasing or attractive appearance.

Technically it doesn't involve weight, but weight is commonly a factor in our subjective standards of beauty. One man's homely is another man's comely, I suppose.
_________________
Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
***
Did you hear they arrested the Energizer Bunny on battery charges?
***