hideous face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hideous face" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's face that is perceived as extremely unattractive or repulsive. Example: "The villain in the story was described as having a hideous face that struck fear into the hearts of all who saw him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

To frighten and discipline the child, the mother painted a hideous face on the bottom of her water gourd.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dorian, who has hidden the picture in his attic, shows Basil the now hideous face, and kills him.

The New Yorker

When I opened the door, a rectangle of California sunshine invaded the dark entryway, landing on the hideous face of a large, lunging demon.

The New Yorker

He shows me early sketches for it, which reveal a boggled-eyed hunched troll with a plainly murderous leer on its hideous face.

Independent

An archaic-period Greek bowl in the British Museum, from 600BC or earlier, has an image of Medusa glaring outwards, as if about to turn you to stone: it must have been quite a talking point when the bowl was emptied of olives at a banquet, only to reveal this hideous face.

The Guardian - Arts

Hitch-hiking Hitch-hiking decades agodes, inwas picked up by a fishing-boathekipper wHebridese poInt confided his owassighting of a long serpickedith a bristling, hideoup face yards from his stern off the Angus coast.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"These poor wretches were stunted in their growth, their hideous faces bedaubed with white paint, their skins filthy and greasy, their hair entangled, their voices discordant, and their gestures violent... one can hardly make oneself believe that they are fellow creatures and inhabitants of the same world".

Independent

Ever since laptop makers have gone over to glass (with its superior transmissive qualities), we've been plagued by the reflections of lights, windows, and our own hideous faces.

TechCrunch

They were a popular toy in the 80s and were basically just these squishy, useless balls with hideous faces staring out at you as if to say, "I hate you".

Vice

Except that you know you won't be confronted by Danny's hideous sex face.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So while the animals are still alive, the HSI report says, the poachers "use machetes and chainsaws to hack off their horns, leaving the animals to regain consciousness with hideous deep face wounds, massive blood loss and unimaginable pain".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "hideous face", consider the context and audience. While effective in conveying strong negative imagery, it can be perceived as harsh or insensitive. Choose synonyms or descriptive language if a gentler tone is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "hideous face" repetitively in descriptive writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make the writing seem monotonous. Instead, vary your descriptions with other evocative adjectives and imagery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hideous face" functions primarily as a descriptive element, modifying the noun "face" with the adjective "hideous". This phrase vividly portrays an extremely unattractive or repulsive appearance, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hideous face" effectively describes an extremely unattractive or repulsive facial appearance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While it is considered an uncommon phrase, mainly found in News & Media, Wiki and Encyclopedias, it evokes strong emotional responses. When writing, consider using this phrase judiciously, keeping in mind the audience and the desired tone, and avoid overuse. As alternatives, consider using phrases like "ugly face" or "repulsive face" for similar but less intense effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ugly face

Replaces "hideous" with a more common and direct synonym, reducing the intensity of the description.

repulsive face

Substitutes "hideous" with "repulsive", offering a more clinical and less emotional term for extreme unattractiveness.

ghastly face

Replaces "hideous" with "ghastly", adding a sense of fear or shock to the unattractiveness.

dreadful face

Uses "dreadful" instead of "hideous", implying that the face inspires fear or unease.

monstrous face

Employs "monstrous" to intensify the unattractiveness, suggesting a face that is unnatural or terrifying.

gruesome face

Replaces "hideous" with "gruesome", focusing on the shocking and unpleasant visual aspects of the face.

abhorrent face

Uses "abhorrent" to convey a sense of extreme disgust and repulsion.

horrendous face

Substitutes "hideous" with "horrendous", suggesting a face that is extremely unpleasant or awful.

unlovely face

Employs the negation of "lovely" to describe the face, creating a gentler contrast to "hideous".

unsightly face

Replaces "hideous" with "unsightly", offering a more polite and less offensive description of unattractiveness.

FAQs

What does "hideous face" mean?

The phrase "hideous face" describes a face that is extremely ugly or repulsive, often causing disgust or fear.

What can I say instead of "hideous face"?

You can use alternatives like "ugly face", "repulsive face", or "ghastly face" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use the term "hideous face" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "hideous face" might be too strong for formal contexts. Consider using milder terms like "unattractive face" or "unsightly face".

How can I use "hideous face" in a sentence?

You might say, "The monster had a "hideous face" that terrified the villagers", or "The portrait revealed a "hideous face", reflecting the subject's inner corruption".