B1adjective1K

Ugly

UK /["/ˈʌɡli/"]/US /["/ˈʌɡli/"]/

Definition

unpleasant to look at

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

Examples

  • 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.

Usage notes

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.

Collocations

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

Synonyms

  • unattractive
  • unsightly
  • hideous
  • unpleasant
  • dreadful

Antonyms

  • beautiful
  • lovely
  • attractive

Common mistakes

  • 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.