ugly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ugly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unpleasant or unattractive physical appearance or a feeling of disapproval or dislike. For example: The ugly brown sweater made my sister feel embarrassed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Books

Travel

Film

Lifestyle

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's the ugly side of the wealth gap in action.

The Guardian - Money

His round was soured by an ugly double bogey six on the last.

The Guardian - Sport

It is disproportionate, ugly and tragic and will not do Israel any good in the long run".

The Guardian

Even when we tried to draw on the wisdom of three deeply experienced men who proffered policies that would put the issue beyond ugly politics, that too failed.

The Guardian

Clearly, it's time to take a stand against such examples of bad planning – not to mention all those really ugly buildings we're forced to walk past on the way to work every day.

The Guardian

The move unnerved civil rights campaigners in the a deeply segregated stated with an ugly history of voter intimidation.

The Guardian

This was a budget of the good, the bad and the ugly.

The Guardian

Ancelotti would lament how his players "made more mistakes than usual because of the pressure Juventus put us under" and the inquest into the decisive goal promised to be ugly.

The Guardian - Sport

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is an ugly mouthful, and not just in name.

The Guardian - Business

Whether or not he calculated the result of the Birmingham speech in advance - there were few who believed he did not - they were easily calculable and the outcome was ugly.

The Guardian

Made you forget it was the smog that made their colors so brilliant, that behind every pretty picture there could be an ugly story.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ugly" to describe not only physical appearance, but also behaviors, situations, or truths that are morally or emotionally unpleasant.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on the word "ugly" for all negative descriptions. Instead, specify the precise nature of the unattractiveness or unpleasantness to provide a clearer and more impactful image. For instance, instead of an "ugly policy", consider a "discriminatory policy."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ugly" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe their appearance or character as displeasing or offensive. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its use in describing both physical attributes and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Opinion

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Books

10%

Travel

5%

Film

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "ugly" is a versatile adjective used to describe something displeasing aesthetically, morally, or generally. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and offers various examples of its usage. While widely used across diverse contexts, it's crucial to consider its emotional impact and opt for less harsh alternatives like "unattractive" when appropriate. Overuse of "ugly" as a general descriptor should be avoided in favor of more precise language to enhance clarity and impact. As shown in the analysis, the usage is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unattractive

Focuses on a lack of physical appeal; less harsh than "ugly".

hideous

Implies extreme repulsiveness in appearance.

unsightly

Refers to something unpleasant to look at, often due to being in poor condition.

repulsive

Emphasizes the capacity to cause disgust or aversion.

unpleasant

General term for something disagreeable or causing discomfort.

disagreeable

Similar to unpleasant, but often refers to a more active quality of causing discomfort.

offensive

Focuses on the capacity to cause hurt feelings or moral outrage.

revolting

Implies a strong sense of disgust and revulsion.

atrocious

Signifies something shockingly bad or appalling, not limited to appearance.

grotesque

Suggests a bizarre or unnatural distortion, often with comic or repulsive effects.

FAQs

How can I use the word "ugly" in a sentence?

You can use "ugly" to describe something unpleasant to look at, like "That building is "ugly"". It can also describe something morally wrong, such as "That was an "ugly" thing to do".

What are some less harsh synonyms for "ugly"?

If "ugly" sounds too strong, consider alternatives like "unattractive", "unsightly", or "plain", depending on the context.

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

While "ugly" is a common word, in formal writing, it's often better to use more precise language. For example, instead of an "ugly truth", consider a "harsh reality".

What's the difference between "ugly" and "hideous"?

"Ugly" generally means unpleasant to look at, while "hideous" suggests something extremely repulsive or offensive. Hideous is the stronger term.