ugly

¹ug·ly

adjective \ˈə-glē\

ug·li·erug·li·est

Definition of UGLY

1

: frightful, dire

2

a : offensive to the sight : hideous

b : offensive or unpleasant to any sense

3

: morally offensive or objectionable <corruption—the ugliest stain of all>

4

a : likely to cause inconvenience or discomfort <the ugly truth>

b : surly, quarrelsome <an ugly disposition>

— ug·li·ly \-glə-lē\ adverb

Examples of UGLY

1. an ugly shade of green
2. They avoided what could have been an ugly situation.
3. He has an ugly disposition.

Origin of UGLY

Middle English, from Old Norse uggligr, from uggr fear; akin to Old Norse ugga to fear

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to UGLY

Synonyms

grotesque, hideous, homely, ill-favored, monstrous, unappealing, unattractive, unbeautiful, uncomely, unhandsome, unlovely, unpleasing, unpretty, unsightly, vile

Antonyms

aesthetic (also esthetic or aesthetical or esthetical), attractive, beauteous, beautiful, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], comely, cute, drop-dead, fair, fetching, good-looking, goodly, gorgeous, handsome, knockout, lovely, pretty, ravishing, seemly, sightly, stunning, taking, well-favored

Related Words

abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, gross, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revolting, sickening; frumpish, frumpy, plain, unaesthetic, unbecoming, unshapely

Near Antonyms

shapely; imposing, impressive, prepossessing

Rhymes with UGLY

smugly, snugly, Ugli

²ugly

adverb

Definition of UGLY

: in an ugly manner <was acting ugly>

First Known Use of UGLY

14th century

Rhymes with UGLY

smugly, snugly