least beautiful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least beautiful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is considered to have the lowest level of beauty in comparison to others. Example: "Among all the paintings in the gallery, this one is the least beautiful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Then we asked them: "Please, stack the photographs in an order corresponding to the beauty of the depicted parrot, from the most beautiful to the least beautiful one".

Plosone

K, however, was considered one of the least beautiful sounds by the ancient Greeks, so perhaps it's a personal quirk.

The Guardian

In Paris he quickly takes up with Sophie (Lizzie Brocheré), because, in the movies at least, beautiful, much younger women always fall for unemployed middle-aged losers.

The New York Times

The two found that the professors who had been rated among the most beautiful scored a point higher than those rated least beautiful (that's a substantial difference, since student evaluations don't generally vary by much)...

The New York Times

But as the effeminate pretty boy that is Mr. Drake's Lot gulps his way to the least beautiful of deaths, one is reminded of a playwright who remained on the side of "the weak [and] the soft" considerably more fully than life tends to do.

The New York Times - Arts

She was probably the model for the stunningly erotic nude in Cupid and Psyche, bearing out the remark of a contemporary writer on art that her face was the least beautiful part of a beautiful woman: "though she hath a fair face beyond nature, yet putting off her clothes [she] seemeth to have no face at all, in regard of the other excellencies that were concealed".

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The rooms at least are beautiful.

The New York Times

It was almost perfectly symmetrical and — to a human eye, at least — quite beautiful.

The New Yorker

There are echoes, too, of Istanbul's long imperial past as the capital of the Ottoman Empire, not least in beautiful Lily, a worldly widow who first came to the city as a Circassian slave in the sultan's harem.

The New York Times - Books

Departs every Monday and Saturday from 19 June to 30 August 2010 Wales is set to be a popular walking destination for 2010, not least the beautiful 95-mile coastal path from Caernarfon to Porthmadog.

The Guardian - Travel

But for me, the most moving object in the show is one of the least obviously beautiful: a long, thin flute made from the wing-bone of a griffon vulture.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple items, use "least beautiful" to objectively rank them based on aesthetic appeal. For instance, "Among the designs, this prototype was the "least beautiful" and required further revisions."

Common error

Avoid using "least beautiful" as an absolute judgement without providing a comparative context. Saying "This is the "least beautiful" thing ever" is subjective and lacks specific reference, which can weaken your statement. Always compare it to something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least beautiful" functions as a superlative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the lowest degree of beauty among a group. Ludwig examples show its use in comparisons, as noted by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "least beautiful" is a superlative adjective phrase used to describe something with the lowest level of aesthetic appeal in a comparison. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its usage across various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. While the phrase itself maintains a neutral tone, its impact hinges on context and intent. Related alternatives include "most unattractive" and "least attractive". Avoid using the phrase in absolute statements without context, as this can weaken your argument. As seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, "least beautiful" is most effective when used in comparative contexts to objectively rank items based on aesthetic qualities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most unattractive

Emphasizes the absence of attractiveness, presenting a strong negative connotation.

least attractive

Focuses on the absence of features that typically draw positive attention.

ugliest

Expresses the most extreme degree of lacking beauty, implying repulsiveness.

least appealing

Shifts the focus to subjective appeal rather than objective beauty.

homeliest

Emphasizes a plain or unremarkable appearance, often with a sense of simplicity.

plainest

Focuses on the lack of adornment or striking features.

most uncomely

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying unattractive.

aesthetically unpleasing

Highlights the negative impact on visual senses and aesthetic preferences.

not beautiful at all

Directly negates the presence of beauty without implying extremity.

visually unremarkable

Focuses on a lack of visual distinction or memorability.

FAQs

How can I use "least beautiful" in a sentence?

You can use "least beautiful" to describe something that has the lowest level of beauty in comparison to others. For example: "Among all the options, this one is the "least beautiful".

What's a formal alternative to "least beautiful"?

A more formal alternative to "least beautiful" could be "most unattractive" or "aesthetically unpleasing" depending on the context.

What does "least beautiful" mean?

"Least beautiful" refers to the item or thing that possesses the fewest qualities considered aesthetically pleasing when compared to others in a group.

Is it better to say "least attractive" or "least beautiful"?

The choice between "least attractive" and "least beautiful" depends on the context. "Least beautiful" focuses specifically on aesthetic qualities, while "least attractive" can encompass a broader range of appealing qualities beyond aesthetics.