bad looking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad looking" is not correct in written English.
We would typically use the phrase "unattractive" instead. For example, "That painting looks really unattractive."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Not a bad looking guy.

The New York Times

I wasn't a bad looking guy.

The Guardian - Film

A man thinks Jack's babe wasn't bad looking.

The New York Times

On the other hand, it's not bad looking.

The New York Times - Travel

The men aren't bad looking, but the women are frights.

The New Yorker

It's not bad looking, but The Sartorialist won't chase you down because you are wearing it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

US looks really bad, looks really bad.

University of California, Berkeley

"He was giving me bad looks".

The Guardian - Sport

If the news is bad, look out!

Forbes

We feel bad, look bad, and can't function.

Forbes

They say, "Oh Roshonara is so bad, look at the way she behaves with her husband"'.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "bad looking" is understandable in informal settings, opt for more standard alternatives like "unattractive" or "not attractive" in formal writing to maintain grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "bad looking" in professional contexts, as it can come across as unprofessional. Instead, choose vocabulary that reflects precision and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad looking" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its appearance negatively. While understandable, Ludwig AI confirms that it's not considered grammatically correct in formal English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "bad looking" is fairly common and easily understood, it isn't considered grammatically correct in formal English. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this. It functions as an adjective phrase to negatively describe appearance and finds its most frequent use in news and media sources. For professional or academic writing, it's best to opt for alternatives like "unattractive", "not attractive", or "unappealing" to ensure clarity and correctness. Using standardized language is always a good practice in formal scenarios, while "bad looking" remains acceptable in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unattractive

Replaces "bad looking" with a more standard and grammatically correct term to describe someone or something that is not pleasing to the eye.

not attractive

Offers a direct negation of attractiveness, suitable for various contexts where a softer tone is preferred.

unappealing

Shifts the focus to the lack of appeal, highlighting that the subject doesn't generate interest or desire.

plain-looking

Suggests a lack of distinctive or striking features, implying a simple or unremarkable appearance.

not good-looking

Mirrors the structure of the original phrase while using a more conventionally accepted term.

homely

Indicates a lack of conventional beauty, often implying a sense of ordinariness or simplicity.

unprepossessing

Conveys that the subject does not create a favorable first impression, lacking immediate appeal.

not easy on the eye

Emphasizes the visual aspect, suggesting that the subject is not visually pleasing or comfortable to look at.

unhandsome

Specifically used for males, denotes a lack of traditionally masculine attractiveness.

deficient in aesthetic appeal

Presents a formal and technical alternative, suitable for analytical or critical contexts.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "bad looking"?

In formal contexts, it's better to use terms like "unattractive", "not attractive", or "unappealing".

Is "bad looking" grammatically correct?

While commonly understood, "bad looking" is not considered grammatically correct in formal English. It's preferable to use alternatives like "unattractive".

When is it okay to use "bad looking"?

"Bad looking" is acceptable in informal conversations or casual writing, but avoid it in professional or academic settings. For instance, if you are talking with friends or family it might be OK.

Are there gender-specific alternatives to "bad looking"?

While alternatives like "unattractive" and "not attractive" are gender-neutral, "unhandsome" can be used specifically for males.