not good looking

USAGE SUMMARY

"not good looking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone's appearance, and it means that the person is not physically attractive. Example: "Despite his charming personality, John's not good looking appearance made it difficult for him to attract potential dates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"I'm not good looking.

The New York Times

Really not good looking at all.

The New York Times - Style

I've had friends tell me, if he's not good looking, he shouldn't be in our group".

The New York Times

"I just hope he's not good looking," she says, and we smile.

The New York Times

This photo is not good looking enough or original enough to be protected by the copyright law.

The Guardian

"The clear message has been that I'm not good looking and young enough to sell a book," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

(Side note: tights not good look on pear-shaped bodies).

The New Yorker

I'm not good at looking back".

The Guardian - Music

You can be fired for being too old or too young, or not having the "right look" (typical translation: not good-looking enough)." It is not uncommon for an owner to wake up one morning and fire the entire crew without notice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If your teen is naive and thinks rapists are not "good-looking" and "normal" or "too mild" than explain how rapists can look and act like anybody.

WikiHow

"But obviously no one's taking pictures of my face because I'm not good-looking enough," he sighs.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "not good looking", consider adding details about their personality or other positive qualities to avoid being overly critical or negative.

Common error

Avoid using "not good looking" as the primary or only descriptor of a person. This can come across as superficial and insensitive. Instead, balance it with descriptions of their character, skills, or achievements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not good looking" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It serves to describe the appearance of someone or something, indicating a lack of physical attractiveness. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

12%

Huffington Post

12%

Less common in

The Guardian

9%

BBC

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not good looking" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase to describe a lack of physical attractiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. While the phrase is widely understood, it's essential to use it judiciously and balance it with other positive attributes when describing individuals. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources. Consider using alternatives like "unattractive" or "plain-looking" for nuanced expressions. Always prioritize sensitivity and avoid relying solely on physical appearance in descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unattractive

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective.

plain-looking

Uses a different adjective to describe appearance.

not attractive

Uses a synonym for "good looking".

unappealing

Shifts the focus to lack of appeal.

homely

Suggests a simple and unadorned appearance.

not easy on the eyes

Uses an idiomatic expression.

lacking in physical beauty

More formal way of saying someone is not attractive.

less than attractive

Understates the lack of attractiveness.

not particularly handsome

Specifically refers to men and uses "handsome".

visually unappealing

Focuses on the visual aspect and uses "unappealing".

FAQs

How can I use "not good looking" in a sentence?

You can use "not good looking" to describe someone's physical appearance, such as, "He may be "not good looking", but he has a great personality."

What's a more tactful way to say "not good looking"?

Instead of saying someone is "not good looking", you could say they are "plain-looking", "unattractive", or "homely" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to describe someone as "not good looking" in formal writing?

In formal writing, it's generally better to avoid direct descriptions of physical appearance unless it's relevant to the topic. If necessary, use more neutral terms like "lacking in physical beauty".

Which is correct, "not good looking" or "not good-looking"?

Both "not good looking" and "not good-looking" are acceptable. The hyphenated form, "not good-looking", is sometimes preferred for clarity, but the unhyphenated form is also common.