ugly

UK: ˈʌɡli | US: ˈʌɡli

Definition

  1. adj. unpleasant or repulsive in appearance

  2. adj. morally offensive or objectionable

  3. adj. threatening or hostile (e.g., "an ugly situation")

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology

Derived from Old Norse uggligr ("dreadful, fearsome"), from uggr ("fear, dread") + -ligr ("-ly, like"). The original sense of "inspiring dread" shifted to "unpleasant to look at" in Middle English, influenced by the word’s association with repulsion. The moral and situational extensions emerged later.

Examples

  1. The abandoned house had an ugly, crumbling facade.

  2. His ugly remarks offended everyone at the meeting.

  3. The argument escalated into an ugly confrontation.

  4. She covered the ugly stain on the wall with a painting.

  5. Pollution has turned the river into an ugly mess.