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

"It's very ugly. I feel like I'm worthless now."

Read more on BBC

But if the farm owner ever heard them, he would chase them away, saying: "You’re talking an ugly language -- go home!"

Read more on Barron's

An ugly old thing and yet wondrous at the same time.

Read more on BBC

But the spending side of the ledger is uglier than the headline numbers suggest.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It was an ugly display from the Team USA fans.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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