hideous
UK: ˈhɪd.i.əs | US: ˈhɪd.i.əs
adj. extremely ugly or unpleasant in appearance
adj. morally repulsive or shocking
adj. causing great fear or dread
The word hideous originated in Middle English from Old French hideus, which combined hide (terror) with the suffix -ous (full of). Initially, it described something terrifying or dreadful, often linked to monstrous appearances. Over time, its meaning expanded to emphasize extreme ugliness or moral repulsiveness, retaining its visceral impact.
The abandoned house had a hideous facade covered in peeling paint.
His hideous crimes shocked the entire community.
She woke up from a nightmare about a hideous creature.
The dictator’s hideous regime oppressed millions.
The artist deliberately painted a hideous portrait to provoke thought.