B1adjective 1K

Ugly

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈʌɡli/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈʌɡli/"]/

Meaning of Ugly

unpleasant to look at

In simple words: Not attractive or pleasant to look at.

Ugly in a sentence

• The house was so ugly that no one wanted to buy it.
• She wore an ugly sweater to the party, but it made her smile.
• Sometimes people are judged by their ugly behavior rather than their appearance.
• The movie had an ugly scene that I found quite disturbing.
• He said some ugly things during the argument that hurt her feelings.

How to use Ugly

Use 'ugly' to describe something or someone that looks bad, but be careful — it can be considered rude when describing people. Use it more for objects or situations in neutral contexts.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'ugly' like 'ugly duckling' — something not beautiful at first.

Related words

Collocations with Ugly

• be
• feel
• look
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• be
• look
• sound
• extremely
• fairly
• very

Synonyms for Ugly

• unattractive
• unsightly
• hideous
• unpleasant
• dreadful

Opposites of Ugly

• beautiful
• lovely
• attractive

Common mistakes with Ugly

• Using 'ugly' to describe someone's personality — it's about appearance.
• Confusing 'ugly' with 'unpleasant' — they have different meanings.
• Using it in a playful context when it's actually hurtful.

Frequently asked questions about Ugly

What does Ugly mean?

Not attractive or pleasant to look at.

What is the definition of Ugly?

unpleasant to look at

How do you use Ugly in a sentence?

The house was so ugly that no one wanted to buy it.

Can you give another example of Ugly?

She wore an ugly sweater to the party, but it made her smile.

What are synonyms for Ugly?

Common alternatives include unattractive, unsightly, hideous, unpleasant, dreadful.

What is the opposite of Ugly?

Opposite meanings include beautiful, lovely, attractive.

What words go with Ugly?

It commonly pairs with be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be, look, sound, extremely, fairly, very.

What are common mistakes when using Ugly?

Using 'ugly' to describe someone's personality — it's about appearance. Confusing 'ugly' with 'unpleasant' — they have different meanings. Using it in a playful context when it's actually hurtful.

How do you pronounce Ugly?

US: /["/ˈʌɡli/"]/, UK: /["/ˈʌɡli/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Ugly?

Use 'ugly' to describe something or someone that looks bad, but be careful — it can be considered rude when describing people. Use it more for objects or situations in neutral contexts.

What CEFR level is Ugly?

"Ugly" is at B1 level on the CEFR scale.