ugly

1 of 2

adjective

ug·​ly ˈə-glē 

uglier; ugliest

1

a

: offensive to the sight : hideous

b

: offensive or unpleasant to any sense

2

: morally offensive or objectionable

corruption—the ugliest stain of all

3

a

: likely to cause inconvenience or discomfort

the ugly truth

b

: surly, quarrelsome

an ugly disposition

4

: frightful, dire

uglily

ˈə-glə-lē 

adverb

ugly

2 of 2

adverb

: in an ugly manner

was acting ugly

Synonyms

Adjective

• grotesque
• hideous
• homely
• ill-favored
• monstrous
• unappealing
• unattractive
• unbeautiful
• uncomely
• unhandsome
• unlovely
• unpleasing
• unpretty
• unsightly
• vile

Examples of ugly in a Sentence

Adjective

an ugly shade of green

They avoided what could have been an ugly situation.

He has an ugly disposition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Or the constitutional dystopia in which we are now caught, beside which even the ugliest onscreen villainy pales into insignificance? —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025

The advanced metrics paint an ugly picture for the Suns as well over that span: 114.0 OffRtg (11th), 117.3 DefRtg (27th), -3.2 NetRtg (21st). —Evan Sidery, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Adverb

For all the glowing up that happens in front of your bathroom mirror, figuring out how to unclog a bathroom sink can get ugly quick. —Mike Miller, Architectural Digest, 7 Feb. 2025

It’s been ugly recently (rounded) 2023: down 5% 2022: down 9% 2021: down 5% 2020: down 4% The elections are another wildcard. —Bob Pisani, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old Norse uggligr, from uggr fear; akin to Old Norse ugga to fear

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ugly

• (as) ugly as sin
• plug-ugly
• rear/raise its ugly head
• ugly duckling

Rhymes for ugly

• smugly
• snugly

Kids Definition

ugly

adjective

ug·​ly

ˈəg-lē

uglier; ugliest

1

: horrid or unpleasant especially to the sight : unsightly, hideous

2

: offensive entry 1 sense 3, repulsive

ugly habits

3

a

: likely to cause bother or discomfort : troublesome

an ugly situation

b

: quarrelsome

an ugly disposition

ugliness noun