absolutely ugly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely ugly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a strong negative opinion about someone's appearance or an object's aesthetic quality. Example: "The design of that building is absolutely ugly and does not fit in with the surrounding architecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Massive and stiff structures would look absolutely ugly and be very, very expensive," said Frieder Seible, dean of the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California, San Diego, who tested many elements of the bridge design.

The New York Times - Science

It was absolutely ugly". With all that as his personal backdrop, Cutcliffe has spent years thinking about the evolution of race relations in America.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He also took the opportunity to call the high-voltage charging plug designed by SAE International, an organization of scientists and engineers whose J1772 standard plug has been embraced by some of the world's largest automakers, "absolutely terrible, extremely ugly and low power".

The New York Times

As the parent of two teenagers who have played multiple sports over the years, I've seen the good, the bad, the ugly and the absolutely brutal.

Huffington Post

"Imagine the great brilliance of Virginia Woolf to be turned into this absolutely maimed fool with a really ugly nose".

The New York Times

It's big, it's ugly, and it's absolutely necessary for a decent system.

TechCrunch

He said: "The decision to list Plymouth Civic Centre as some kind of historic and beautiful building when it's the ugliest thing, probably the ugliest thing outside Dudley, is absolutely disgraceful".

BBC

It is our ugly accounting — and it is absolutely necessary.

The New Yorker

Software looks absolutely amazing, hardware design is dated and ugly.

BBC

Bush, who is married to a Mexican-American woman, did say the comments were "ugly," and added that he was "absolutely" offended on a personal level.

The New Yorker

I am absolutely sure there are smart plain or even ugly people who live and work there.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "absolutely ugly", ensure the context aligns with the strong negative connotation of the phrase. It's best suited for expressing intense dislike or disapproval of something's appearance.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely ugly" in formal or professional settings where a more polite or objective description is necessary. Opt for alternatives like "unattractive" or "unappealing" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely ugly" functions as an intensifier ("absolutely") modifying an adjective ("ugly"). According to Ludwig, this construction emphasizes the speaker's strong negative opinion about something's appearance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolutely ugly" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong, subjective dislike for something's appearance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the negative aesthetic quality. While suitable for informal contexts, it should be used cautiously in more formal or professional settings. Alternative phrases like "utterly hideous" or "completely repulsive" can offer similar emphasis. Its frequency is uncommon, appearing most often in news and media, and less so in academic or business contexts. When choosing this expression, consider your audience and the desired level of intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly hideous

Replaces both words with synonyms for stronger negative emphasis.

completely repulsive

Substitutes "ugly" with a term emphasizing disgust and aversion.

totally dreadful

Emphasizes the unpleasantness and undesirability.

thoroughly unattractive

Uses a more formal and polite way to express the lack of beauty.

exceptionally unsightly

Replaces "absolutely" with "exceptionally" and "ugly" with a synonym to describe a displeasing appearance.

downright ghastly

Uses a more dramatic and emphatic adjective to describe something unpleasant.

remarkably plain

A milder expression that focuses on the lack of distinctiveness rather than repulsiveness.

simply awful

Expresses strong dislike or disapproval in a straightforward manner.

positively grotesque

Conveys a strong sense of distortion and ugliness, often in a disturbing way.

plainly unappealing

A more subdued expression of something not being visually pleasing.

FAQs

What does "absolutely ugly" mean?

The phrase "absolutely ugly" is used to express a strong negative opinion about something's appearance. It means that something is considered extremely unattractive or displeasing to look at.

How can I use "absolutely ugly" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely ugly" to describe anything you find extremely unattractive. For example, "That building is "absolutely ugly" and doesn't fit in with the neighborhood."

What are some alternatives to "absolutely ugly"?

Some alternatives to "absolutely ugly" include "utterly hideous", "completely repulsive", or "totally dreadful". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "absolutely ugly" appropriate for all situations?

No, "absolutely ugly" is a strong expression and may not be suitable for formal or professional contexts. In such situations, consider using milder alternatives like "unattractive" or "unappealing".