looks terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks terrible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a negative opinion about someone's appearance, a situation, or an object. Example: "The painting looks terrible; the colors clash and the proportions are off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Your Skin Looks Terrible".

The New Yorker

She looks terrible.

The New York Times - Books

OK, everything looks terrible.

The Guardian

"My hair looks terrible".

The New York Times

It looks terrible on me.

The New York Times - Sports

And the monster looks terrible.

The New York Times

The rear visibility looks terrible.

The Guardian - Film

You'd go: "That young guy looks terrible".

The New York Times

Just now, either choice looks terrible.

The Economist

At first glance, this looks terrible.

The New York Times

What's more, the timing looks terrible.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks terrible" to express strong negative opinions about something's aesthetics. For example: "The decor in that restaurant looks terrible."

Common error

While "looks terrible" is perfectly acceptable, overusing it, especially in formal writing, can make your tone seem overly harsh or unprofessional. Opt for alternatives like "appears unprofessional" or "seems suboptimal" to maintain a more refined style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks terrible" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "looks" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "terrible". Ludwig AI confirms that this structure conveys a negative attribute or condition. The function describes the visual appearance or overall state of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks terrible" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a negative assessment about something's appearance or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While direct, it can be softened with alternatives like "doesn't look good" in more formal settings. Be mindful of the tone conveyed and context when using this phrase to ensure your message is well-received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doesn't look good

Simplifies the expression using more common and less dramatic vocabulary.

appears awful

Replaces "looks" with "appears" and "terrible" with "awful", slightly softening the impact.

seems dreadful

Substitutes "looks" with "seems" and "terrible" with "dreadful", emphasizing a feeling of apprehension.

is quite unsightly

Employs a more formal and somewhat stronger term ("unsightly") to indicate unattractiveness.

presents poorly

Uses a more formal tone, focusing on the manner of presentation rather than inherent quality.

is not attractive

Directly addresses the lack of aesthetic appeal, mainly for visual subjects.

is visually unappealing

Emphasizes the visual aspect of the negativity, suitable for describing aesthetics.

gives a bad impression

Focuses on the effect on the observer, highlighting the negative perception.

is in poor shape

Implies a state of disrepair or decline, often used for objects or health.

is far from ideal

Uses understatement to express dissatisfaction, suitable for polite criticism.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says something "looks terrible"?

When someone says something "looks terrible", they mean it has a very unappealing or negative appearance. This can refer to aesthetics, condition, or overall presentation. The specific meaning depends on the context in which it's used.

How can I use "looks terrible" in a sentence?

You can use "looks terrible" to describe something you find visually unappealing or of poor quality. For example, "That old building really "looks terrible"" or "He "looks terrible"; he must be sick."

Which is more polite, "looks terrible" or "doesn't look good"?

"Doesn't look good" is generally more polite than "looks terrible" as it's a softer and less direct way of expressing a negative opinion. "Looks terrible" can come across as harsh or judgmental.

What are some alternatives to saying something "looks terrible"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "appears awful", "seems dreadful", or "is visually unappealing". The best choice depends on the specific situation and the level of formality you want to convey.