ug
Ug (verb) means to feel or cause a strong sense of dread, disgust, or revulsion; to shudder at something repulsive. Example: “She ugged at the smell coming from the fridge.”
How to use ug
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rare, old-fashioned word for a shudder of disgust or fear; today it survives mainly in the word "ugly," which grew from the same root.
Archaic/dialectal — rarely used as a standalone word in modern English outside of dictionaries and dialect writing.
Word forms
ugged past tense, ugs plural, ugs plural, ugs singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was a definite _____ factor to the horror movie's final scene.
Etymology
From Middle English ugge, borrowed from Old Norse uggr, meaning fear or dread — the same root that eventually gave English the word "awe."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ug” mean?
The word “ug” means to feel or cause a strong sense of dread, disgust, or revulsion; to shudder at something repulsive. In plain terms, a rare, old-fashioned word for a shudder of disgust or fear; today it survives mainly in the word "ugly," which grew from the same root.
How do you pronounce “ug”?
“Ug” is pronounced uhg (/ʌɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ug” in a sentence?
Here is “ug” used in a sentence: “She ugged at the smell coming from the fridge.”
What is another word for “ug”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ug” include fright, sick, surplus, loathe, sicken and pray to the porcelain god.
What part of speech is “ug”?
Depending on how it is used, “ug” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “ug” come from?
The word “ug” comes from Middle English. From Middle English ugge, borrowed from Old Norse uggr, meaning fear or dread — the same root that eventually gave English the word "awe.".
How many meanings does “ug” have?
“Ug” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to feel or cause a strong sense of dread, disgust, or revulsion; to shudder at something repulsive.