less beautiful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less beautiful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing objects in terms of beauty. For example, "This sunset is less beautiful than the one we saw last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Owning your own beauty does not make anyone else any less beautiful.

Huffington Post

It is also much less beautiful.

The New York Times - Arts

But it's no less powerful, no less beautiful.

The Guardian

Liturgical art works are less numerous, but no less beautiful.

The New Yorker

She had certainly never been pretty, much less beautiful.

The Guardian

The hills go from green to gold, but are no less beautiful.

The New Yorker

If it were otherwise, these sounds we're all chasing would be a lot less beautiful.

The New Yorker

That it does not really mean anything, makes it no less beautiful or American.

The Economist

"Over time," explained the chief of SmugMug, Don MacAskill, "SmugMug became a lot less beautiful".

The New York Times

Not in a sense of becoming less beautiful, but watching people literally break down.

The Guardian - Film

It will perhaps be a somewhat dolorous rose, but no less beautiful for that.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less beautiful", ensure you're making a clear comparison. Specify what the subject is being compared to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "less beautiful" in contexts where the comparison is unclear. For example, instead of saying "The room was less beautiful", specify what it was less beautiful than: "The room was less beautiful than the pictures suggested."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less beautiful" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that something possesses a lower degree of beauty compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less beautiful" functions as a comparative adjective phrase used to express a reduced level of beauty in relation to something else. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage in written English. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. For clarity, always ensure the comparison is explicit. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "not as beautiful" or "less attractive" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as beautiful

Uses a different comparative structure to indicate a lower degree of beauty.

not so beautiful

Similar to "not as beautiful", providing a slightly different emphasis.

less attractive

Substitutes "beautiful" with "attractive", maintaining a similar meaning.

diminished in beauty

Emphasizes a reduction in beauty, rather than a comparison.

not quite as stunning

Replaces "beautiful" with "stunning", suggesting a reduced impact.

of lesser beauty

Uses a more formal tone and structure to express reduced beauty.

not as visually appealing

Shifts the focus to visual appeal, rather than inherent beauty.

slightly plain

Uses a more understated term to indicate a lack of beauty.

lacking in glamour

Focuses on the absence of glamour as opposed to beauty itself.

somewhat unattractive

Employs the term "unattractive" to convey a diminished level of beauty.

FAQs

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

Use "less beautiful" to compare the degree of beauty between two or more subjects. For example, "This painting is "less beautiful" than the one in the gallery".

What are some alternatives to saying "less beautiful"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "not as beautiful", "less attractive", or "diminished in beauty".

Is it grammatically correct to say "less beautiful"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. "Less" is used to form the comparative of adjectives that have two or more syllables, like "beautiful".

What's the difference between "less beautiful" and "least beautiful"?

"Less beautiful" compares two things, while "least beautiful" identifies the item with the lowest degree of beauty among three or more items. For example, "This flower is "less beautiful" than that one, but it's the "least beautiful" in the bouquet".