ugly
Something that is unpleasant to look at and lacks beauty or attractiveness. It can also describe a situation, behavior, or sound that is very unpleasant, mean, or dangerous.
Examples
3 of 5The old, abandoned building in the city center looks very ugly.
The broken house does not look good at all.
The committee addressed the ugly reality of the growing poverty rates.
The group talked about the unpleasant facts of poverty.
I think this neon green hat is really ugly, don't you?
I believe this bright hat looks very bad.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
U-G-L-Y rhymes with 'Yucky'. If it looks yucky to your eyes, it is ugly.
Quick Quiz
The sky turned a dark, ___ gray right before the big storm started.
Correct!
The correct answer is: ugly
Examples
The old, abandoned building in the city center looks very ugly.
everydayThe broken house does not look good at all.
The committee addressed the ugly reality of the growing poverty rates.
formalThe group talked about the unpleasant facts of poverty.
I think this neon green hat is really ugly, don't you?
informalI believe this bright hat looks very bad.
The architectural design was criticized for being aesthetically ugly and out of place.
academicThe building design was called unattractive and poorly placed.
The negotiations became ugly when both companies refused to compromise.
businessThe business talk became very unpleasant and angry.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
things got ugly
the situation became violent or very unpleasant
hit with the ugly stick
a very rude way to say someone is unattractive
an ugly mood
being in a very bad or angry state of mind
Often Confused With
'Bad' is a general word for poor quality, while 'ugly' usually refers specifically to physical appearance or very intense unpleasantness.
'Mean' describes a person's unkind behavior, whereas 'ugly' describes how something looks or an unpleasant situation.
Usage Notes
Use 'ugly' carefully when talking about people, as it is considered a strong insult. It is safer to use it for objects, buildings, or situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'ugly' to describe a bad taste or smell, but 'ugly' is mostly for things you see or situations you experience.
Memory Tip
U-G-L-Y rhymes with 'Yucky'. If it looks yucky to your eyes, it is ugly.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old Norse word 'uggligr', which meant 'dreadful' or 'fearful'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking cultures, 'Ugly Sweater Parties' are common during the Christmas season, where people intentionally wear unattractive holiday clothing.
Quick Quiz
The sky turned a dark, ___ gray right before the big storm started.
Correct!
The correct answer is: ugly
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Something that is scary makes you feel afraid or frightened....
appearanceThe way that someone or something looks on the outside, or t...
lookTo direct your eyes toward someone or something so that you...
messyDescribes something that is untidy, dirty, or not organized....
visualRelating to the sense of sight or the use of images to conve...
More Descriptions words
huge
A1Something that is huge is extremely large in size, amount, or degree. It is a more powerful word than 'big' used to emphasize that something is much larger than normal.
giant
A1A giant is an imaginary creature that looks like a human but is much bigger and stronger. It is also used to describe a real person or thing that is very large or successful.
massive
A1Something that is massive is very, very large and heavy. It can also describe something that is much bigger or more powerful than usual.
short
A1Describes something that measures a small distance from one end to the other or is not tall in height. It is also used to describe a brief period of time or a limited amount of something.
narrow
A1Narrow describes something that has a very small distance from one side to the other. It is the opposite of wide and is often used to describe roads, paths, or spaces.
excellent
A1Something that is extremely good or of very high quality. It is used to praise someone's work, a specific object, or a positive experience.
wonderful
A1Something that is very good, pleasant, or makes you feel great admiration. It is used to describe things or experiences that are extremely enjoyable and high in quality.
nice
A1A word used to describe something that is pleasant, enjoyable, or attractive. It also describes a person who is kind, friendly, and polite to others.
pretty
A1A person or object that is considered attractive or pleasing to look at. While mostly used as an adjective, as a noun it refers to decorative items or a charming person.
handsome
A1This word is an adjective used to describe someone, usually a man, who is physically attractive with well-proportioned features. It can also be used to describe an impressively large amount of something, such as money or a reward.
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