First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1ugly
adjective ug·ly \ˈə-glē\
: unpleasant to look at : not pretty or attractive
: unpleasant to hear
: offensive or disgusting
ug·li·erug·li·est
Full Definition of UGLY
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
See ugly defined for English-language learners
See ugly defined for kids
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Origin of UGLY
Middle English, from Old Norse uggligr, from uggr fear; akin to Old Norse ugga to fear
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
2ugly
adverb
Definition of UGLY
: in an ugly manner <was acting ugly>
First Known Use of UGLY
14th century
UGLY Defined for Kids
ugly
adjective ug·ly \ˈə-glē\
ug·li·erug·li·est
Definition of UGLY for Kids
1
: unpleasant to look at : not attractive <He was an ugly dog, but already, I loved him with all my heart. — Kate DiCamillo, Because of Winn-Dixie>
2
: 1offensive 1 <ugly habits>
3
: likely to cause bother or discomfort : troublesome <an ugly situation>
4
: showing a mean or quarrelsome disposition <an ugly temper>
— ug·li·ness noun
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