ugly

1 of 2

adjective

ug·​ly ˈə-glē 

uglier; ugliest

1

a

: offensive to the sight : hideous

b

: offensive or unpleasant to any sense

2

: morally offensive or objectionable

corruption—the ugliest stain of all

3

a

: likely to cause inconvenience or discomfort

the ugly truth

b

: surly, quarrelsome

an ugly disposition

4

: frightful, dire

uglily

ˈə-glə-lē 

adverb

ugly

2 of 2

adverb

: in an ugly manner

was acting ugly

Synonyms

Adjective

• hideous
• grotesque
• unpleasing
• disgusting
• unattractive
• awful

Examples of ugly in a Sentence

Adjective

an ugly shade of green

They avoided what could have been an ugly situation.

He has an ugly disposition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Even in spite of the ugly headlines early in the second quarter, many retirement savers didn't give in to panic and hit the brakes. —Susan Tompor, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025

An hour-and-16 minute weather delay might have been the least-regrettable aspect of the Panthers’ ugly Week 1 blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at EverBank Field. —Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025

Adverb

How ugly do basic housing metrics look during California crashes? —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 18 Aug. 2025

There are still characters who call Betty ugly, reflecting real-world resistance to change. —Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ugly

• (as) ugly as sin
• plug-ugly
• rear/raise its ugly head
• ugly duckling

Rhymes for ugly

• smugly
• snugly

Kids Definition

ugly

adjective

ug·​ly

ˈəg-lē

uglier; ugliest

1

: horrid or unpleasant especially to the sight : unsightly, hideous

2

: offensive entry 1 sense 3, repulsive

ugly habits

3

a

: likely to cause bother or discomfort : troublesome

an ugly situation

b

: quarrelsome

an ugly disposition

ugliness noun