ugly

[uhg-lee]

adjective

uglier, ugliest 

1. very unattractive or unpleasant to look at; offensive to the sense of beauty; displeasing in appearance.

   Synonyms: homely, unlovely, unsightly, uncomely, hard-featured, ill-favored
   Antonyms: beautiful

2. disagreeable; unpleasant; objectionable.

   ugly tricks;

   ugly discords.

3. morally revolting.

   ugly crime.

   Synonyms: corrupt, monstrous, vile, heinous, base

4. threatening trouble or danger.

   ugly symptoms.

   Synonyms: ominous, disadvantageous

5. mean; hostile; quarrelsome.

   an ugly mood;

   an ugly frame of mind.

   Synonyms: spiteful, surly

6. (especially of natural phenomena) unpleasant or dangerous.

   ugly weather;

   an ugly sea.

   Synonyms: tempestuous, stormy

ugly

/ ˈʌɡlɪ /

adjective

1. of unpleasant or unsightly appearance

2. repulsive, objectionable, or displeasing in any way

   war is ugly

3. ominous or menacing

   an ugly situation

4. bad-tempered, angry, or sullen

   an ugly mood

Other Word Forms

• uglily adverb
• ugliness noun
• superugly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ugly¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English ugly, uglike, from Old Norse uggligr “fearful, dreadful,” equivalent to ugg(r) “fear” + -ligr -ly

Word History and Origins

Origin of ugly¹

C13: from Old Norse uggligr dreadful, from ugga fear

Idioms and Phrases

• rear its ugly head

Example Sentences

Doing the show — I mean, what a blessing to be able to reveal all of you — your most vulnerable, your ugliest parts.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It was all the worst traits the Dodgers had flashed at times during their difficult regular season, once again rearing their ugly head at precisely the wrong time.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He revealed a new, ugly side to his message that will likely cut his election margin.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Rival hip-hop magazines the Source and XXL are locked in an increasingly ugly feud that has reared its head in advertising boycotts, on rap records, and in nasty, over-the-top gangsta editorial slams against one another.

Read more on Salon

For more than two centuries, the United States has treated Latin America as its personal piñata, bashing it silly for goods and not caring about the ugly aftermath.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dirty 
• disgusting 
• distasteful 
• hideous 
• horrid 
• messy 
• nasty 
• shocking 
• sordid 
• terrible 
• vile