hideous

adjective

hid·​eous ˈhi-dē-əs How to pronounce hideous (audio)
Synonyms of hideousnext
1
: offensive to the senses and especially to sight : exceedingly ugly
hideous furniture
The dress looked hideous on her.
2
: morally offensive : shocking
a hideous crime
hideosity noun
hideously adverb
hideousness noun

Examples of hideous in a Sentence

The room was filled with hideous furniture. the hideous way in which she treated her maid after she discovered her ring was missing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Not all of whom are entirely hideous. Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026 But the parsimonious Lady Featherington (Polly Walker) gives Varly her old hideous yellow and green dresses instead of a raise (this is clearly the Regency-era equivalent of the office pizza party). Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026 Not all of whom are entirely hideous. Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026 First, the haunted other-place beyond the staircase’s last step is a truly hideous proposition, making this Wendig’s darkest novel to date. Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hideous

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English hidous, from Anglo-French hidus, hisdos, from Old French hisde, hide terror

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hideous was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hideous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hideous. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

hideous

adjective
hid·​eous ˈhid-ē-əs How to pronounce hideous (audio)
: horribly ugly or disgusting : frightful
hideously adverb
hideousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hideous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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