ugly
Ugly (adj) means Unpleasant to look at; not attractive. Example: “The old warehouse was an ugly grey block on the waterfront.”
How to use ugly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot nice to look at — or, of a situation, tense and about to turn nasty.
Word forms
uglier comparative, uglied past tense, uglies plural, uglies singular, ugliest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old warehouse was an _____ grey block on the waterfront.
Etymology
From Middle English "ugly", borrowed from Old Norse "uggligr" meaning "dreadful, fearsome" — related to the word "ug", meaning dread. The sense softened over time from "frightening" to simply "unattractive".
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ugly” mean?
The word “ugly” means unpleasant to look at; not attractive. In plain terms, not nice to look at — or, of a situation, tense and about to turn nasty.
How do you pronounce “ugly”?
“Ugly” is pronounced UHG-lee (/ˈʌɡli/ in IPA).
How do you use “ugly” in a sentence?
Here is “ugly” used in a sentence: “The old warehouse was an ugly grey block on the waterfront.”
What is another word for “ugly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ugly” include bad, beat, butters, butt-ugly, clapped and coyote ugly.
What is the opposite of “ugly”?
The opposite of “ugly” — its antonyms — are attractive, gorgeous, beautiful, handsome and pretty.
What part of speech is “ugly”?
“Ugly” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ugly” come from?
The word “ugly” comes from Middle English. From Middle English "ugly", borrowed from Old Norse "uggligr" meaning "dreadful, fearsome" — related to the word "ug", meaning dread. The sense softened over time from "frightening" to simply "unattractive".
Is “ugly” a common word?
“Ugly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the opposite of ugly?
The most direct opposites are "beautiful," "attractive," and "pretty," all describing something pleasant to look at. Depending on context you might also use "handsome," "lovely," or "gorgeous." For objects and scenes, "elegant" or "appealing" work well as positive contrasts to something described as ugly.
What is the difference between ugly and plain?
"Plain" is milder — it means ordinary or unremarkable in looks, without being actively unpleasant. "Ugly" is stronger and clearly negative, meaning genuinely unattractive or off-putting. Someone described as plain is simply not striking, whereas calling someone ugly passes a much harsher judgement on their appearance.
Does ugly only describe appearance?
No. Besides meaning unpleasant to look at, "ugly" can describe hostile or dangerous situations, as in "the argument turned ugly," meaning it became threatening or nasty. It can also describe a bad mood or atmosphere. In every sense it signals something disagreeable, whether visually or emotionally.
Is ugly a rude word?
"Ugly" is not a swear word, but calling a person ugly is hurtful and considered rude, since it directly criticises their appearance. It is far more acceptable when describing objects, situations, or scenes — an "ugly building" or "ugly weather." Tone and target matter more than the word itself.
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