ugly duckling

noun

: one that appears very unpromising but often has great potential

Examples of ugly duckling in a Sentence

The house is an ugly duckling, but it has a lot of potential.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two decades after it was introduced, Ducati’s do-everything model, the Multistrada, has evolved from an ungainly ugly duckling to a sleek pavement scorcher than can also head off the pavement. —William Roberson, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

The brand — once scorned as the convenient but ugly duckling of the footwear world — is also enjoying endorsements from celebrities and high-profile fashion houses; even fashion bible Vogue has attempted to advise on how to wear the resin shoes. —Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2023

Kale At some point in recent history, kale went from ugly duckling to prom queen and is now so trendy it may be officially headed for a backlash. —Treehugger Editors, Treehugger, 7 Sep. 2023

There was no ‘ugly duckling’ period. —Christopher Arnott, courant.com, 14 Feb. 2022

Word History

Etymology

The Ugly Duckling, story by Hans Christian Andersen

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ugly duckling

• buckling
• chuckling
• swashbuckling

Kids Definition

ugly duckling

noun

: a person or thing that seems unpromising but later develops great beauty, talent, or worth