just plain ugly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just plain ugly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unattractive or unpleasant in appearance, often in a straightforward or emphatic manner. Example: "The design of the building is just plain ugly, lacking any aesthetic appeal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The whole thing was "just plain ugly".

The New Yorker

Bizarre, even just plain ugly images recur.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's just plain ugly," he said.

The New York Times

This building is just plain ugly.

The New York Times

Or if they call you ugly, just plain ugly — like me, García said.

The New Yorker

Neighbors say that it is ridiculous-looking, even just plain ugly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

In a physical sense we are slowing improving, but in a spiritual and moral sense, things are just plain getting ugly.

Huffington Post

Some just call it plain ugly.

The New York Times - Travel

They'd glossed over or just plain avoided the ugly stuff I'd lived through as a black girl growing up in that very white world.

Huffington Post

Or if they call you ugly, just plain ugly like me, García said.

The New Yorker

The stigma of illegitimacy has faded to the point where someone such as Bruni-Sarkozy can refer to herself as a "bastard" and the term seems ugly, jarring, just plain wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just plain ugly" to convey a straightforward and emphatic opinion about the unattractiveness of something. It works well when you want to be blunt and avoid euphemisms.

Common error

While "just plain ugly" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it in highly formal or professional writing where a more nuanced or polite expression of aesthetic displeasure might be more appropriate. Consider using alternatives like "unattractive" or "unappealing" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just plain ugly" functions as an adjectival phrase used to describe something that is considered unattractive or aesthetically displeasing. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's a direct and emphatic way to express an opinion on appearance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

12%

Huffington Post

12%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Forbes

2%

TechCrunch

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just plain ugly" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to express a strong, often blunt, opinion about something's unattractiveness. Ludwig confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, although it's more suited for neutral to informal settings. While perfectly acceptable in many situations, be mindful of the level of formality required and consider alternatives like "simply unattractive" or "unappealing" in more professional or academic writing. As Ludwig AI underlines, it's better to avoid in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpleasant to look at

Directly states that something is not enjoyable to view.

simply unattractive

A slightly milder and more straightforward way to express that something is not attractive.

decidedly unattractive

Adds a sense of certainty to the unattractiveness, implying a clear and undeniable lack of appeal.

particularly unappealing

Focuses on the lack of appeal rather than direct ugliness, making it slightly more subtle.

utterly unattractive

Replaces "just plain ugly" with a more formal and emphatic expression of unattractiveness.

downright hideous

Uses a stronger term ("hideous") to intensify the expression of ugliness.

thoroughly displeasing

Shifts the focus to the negative emotional reaction caused by the ugliness.

visually offensive

Highlights the unpleasant visual impact, suggesting it's jarring or disturbing to look at.

not easy on the eyes

An idiomatic expression that softens the directness of calling something ugly.

aesthetically challenged

A more humorous and indirect way of saying something is ugly.

FAQs

What does "just plain ugly" mean?

The phrase "just plain ugly" means something is unambiguously unattractive or displeasing to the eye. It implies a straightforward and undeniable lack of aesthetic appeal.

What can I say instead of "just plain ugly"?

You can use alternatives like "simply unattractive", "utterly unappealing", or "downright hideous" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "just plain ugly" grammatically correct?

Yes, "just plain ugly" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express a strong dislike for someone's or something's appearance. Ludwig confirms it!

How can I use "just plain ugly" in a sentence?

You can use "just plain ugly" to describe anything you find visually unappealing, for example: "That building is just plain ugly", or "I think this color is just plain ugly".