ugh

USAGE SUMMARY

"ugh" is a valid word in English.
It is typically used to express feelings of disgust, frustration, or disappointment. For example: "Ugh, I forgot my umbrella and now I'm soaked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ugh... anxiety.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

PO: Ugh.

The Guardian

What my hapless flack did, by contrast, is the equivalent of approaching me with "It would be really great if somehow tonight ends in sex!" Ugh.

The Economist

At the mention of Bill Cash, one member of Business for Sterling lets out an involuntary "ugh".

The Economist

Once the works are sold, the proceeds will be invested in securities chosen by the artists.In this section Food for thought Greed is bad Ugh! Nothing to sell Better, not well Small miracles Art for money's sake Who put the shine into India?

The Economist

To his foes, Mr Fischer is still deeply suspect: a man once so anarchic that he opposed the foundation in 1980 of the Greens, the party he now leads; who used to turn up in parliament in gym shoes (ugh!); and who was once ejected from it after calling the speaker an "arsehole".Odd, then, that Mr Fischer's crumpled features rarely break into a once-habitual impish grin these days.

The Economist

But no one is suggesting that once a country has lowered trade barriers, it can relax and play golf.In this section Food for thought Greed is bad Ugh! Nothing to sell Better, not well Small miracles Art for money's sake Who put the shine into India?

The Economist

For some, they damaged Indian industry.In this section Food for thought Greed is bad Ugh! Nothing to sell Better, not well Small miracles Art for money's sake Who put the shine into India?

The Economist

Forget, ugh, prudence: caution is the new recklessness.

The Economist

These include laughter, shouts and screams of joy, fear, pain, and so forth, and conventional expressions of disgust, triumph, and so on, traditionally spelled ugh!, ha ha!, and so on, in English.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I recall being in a survey-course lecture so slick and wrong-headed that, at one point, the woman sitting next to me reached over and wrote ugh-get-me-out-of-here comments in the margin of my notebook.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ugh" sparingly to maintain its impact; overuse can diminish its effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "ugh" in formal or professional writing. It's best suited for informal communication to express immediate reactions or feelings.

Linguistic Context

The interjection "ugh" primarily functions as an expressive utterance. It conveys a speaker's immediate negative reaction, such as disgust, annoyance, or disappointment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively communicates these feelings in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ugh" is an interjection used to express feelings of disgust, annoyance, or repugnance. Ludwig AI confirms it as a valid and commonly used expression. While grammatically correct, it's best suited for informal contexts and should be avoided in formal writing. Alternatives like "yuck", "eww", and "ick" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "ugh" sparingly to maintain its impact. With a source quality score of 89 and an expert rating of 4.5, using "ugh" appropriately can effectively communicate immediate negative reactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yuck

Expresses stronger disgust, often related to taste or smell.

eww

Similar to "ugh" but often conveys a lighter sense of disgust or dislike.

ick

Expresses distaste, often in response to something unpleasant or unhygienic.

oof

Indicates discomfort, often physical, but can also express a similar sense of dismay.

that's awful

Expresses strong disapproval or dislike in a more descriptive manner.

how disgusting

A more explicit way to express repulsion or strong aversion.

I hate it

A direct expression of strong dislike or aversion.

that's terrible

Conveys a sense of something being extremely unpleasant or unacceptable.

I can't stand it

Expresses strong intolerance or aversion to something.

what a nuisance

Indicates annoyance or frustration with something bothersome.

FAQs

How is "ugh" used in a sentence?

"Ugh" is typically used as an interjection to express disgust, annoyance, or repugnance. For example, "Ugh, this coffee tastes burnt!"

What can I say instead of "ugh"?

You can use alternatives like "yuck", "eww", or "ick" depending on the specific feeling you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "ugh" in formal writing?

No, "ugh" is generally considered too informal for formal or professional writing. It's best reserved for casual conversation or informal contexts.

What's the difference between "ugh" and "I hate it"?

"Ugh" is a more immediate and less emphatic expression of distaste or annoyance. ""I hate it"" expresses a stronger and more explicit feeling of aversion.