it looks hideous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it looks hideous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong negative opinion about the appearance of something. Example: "After seeing the final design, I have to say, it looks hideous and needs a complete overhaul."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It looks hideous.

The Guardian

It may be delicious, but if it looks hideous to the eye, it won't look better in a picture.

Independent

To the outside observer it looks hideous: a proliferation of ugly building sites, cramped factories, poisoned waters and filthy smokestacks.

The Economist

In a blog titled "Dear World: A few reflections on our Cecil, the Zimbabwean Lion," Magaisa wrote, "The hunting industry is one of the last big secrets in the Zimbabwean economy, and it looks hideous and corrupt as the story of Cecil indicates".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It was 30 years old, so a fairly recent construction, but it looked hideous," Mrs. Dickens Gore said.

The New York Times

Instead of saying, "I look hideous in this shirt.

WikiHow

For example, if you are walking in a park, in a mall, or anywhere and you see a group of people, thoughts might flash in your head: "What might they be thinking about me?" or "Am I looking good?" or "Man, I look hideous".

WikiHow

Lionfish, it turns out, looks hideous but tastes great.

The New York Times - Science

He looks hideous, but so does everyone else – performers, presenters, audience.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Picasso, for one thing, still looks hideous to many visitors to Tate Modern - that is, he's still new.

The Guardian - Arts

Tehran looks hideous: a giant junkyard attached to a messy construction site and overrun with frantic cellphone-wielding wheeler-dealers negotiating traffic that is near gridlock.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it looks hideous", ensure the context is clear. The subject 'it' should be easily identifiable to avoid confusion. For example, "The old building now has a fresh coat of paint, but the color combination makes it look hideous."

Common error

Avoid using "it looks hideous" in formal or professional settings, as it is a subjective and informal expression. Opt for more objective and professional alternatives like "it is aesthetically unappealing" or "it lacks visual appeal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it looks hideous" functions as a subjective expression of strong disapproval or dislike based on visual appearance. As noted by Ludwig, it expresses a negative opinion. Examples showcase its use in varied contexts to convey a strong dislike for something's visual aspect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it looks hideous" is a grammatically correct, although somewhat informal, way to express a strong negative opinion about the appearance of something. While Ludwig confirms its usability, it's important to consider the context. It is best suited for informal settings and should be avoided in formal or professional writing, where more objective language is preferred. Alternatives such as "it is visually unappealing" or ""it appears ghastly"" may be more appropriate in formal contexts. The expression is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's an eyesore

Uses a common idiom to express that something is ugly and unpleasant to look at.

it's a frightful sight

Uses "frightful" to emphasize the negative visual impact.

it appears ghastly

Changes the verb to "appears" and uses "ghastly" for a more dramatic effect.

it's visually displeasing

Substitutes "hideous" with a more general term for something that isn't attractive.

it seems appalling

Substitutes "looks" with "seems" and "hideous" with "appalling", softening the expression slightly.

it is visually offensive

Replaces "looks hideous" with a more formal and descriptive phrase.

its appearance is dreadful

Transforms the phrase into a noun phrase emphasizing the appearance.

it presents a repulsive sight

Uses stronger vocabulary to convey a sense of disgust.

it is aesthetically unappealing

Employs a more technical and detached tone.

it has an unpleasant visual aspect

Offers a more descriptive and less emotionally charged alternative.

FAQs

What does "it looks hideous" mean?

The phrase "it looks hideous" means that something has a very unpleasant or ugly appearance. It is a strong and subjective expression of dislike for the visual aspect of something.

What can I say instead of "it looks hideous"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears ghastly", "it seems appalling", or "it is visually offensive" depending on the context.

Is "it looks hideous" too informal for academic writing?

Yes, "it looks hideous" is generally too informal for academic writing. More appropriate alternatives in academic contexts include "it lacks aesthetic appeal" or "it is visually unappealing".

How to use "it looks hideous" in a sentence?

You can use "it looks hideous" to express a strong negative opinion about the appearance of something, for example: "The new design for the website is confusing and cluttered; frankly, "it looks bad"."