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Definition of ugly

ugly

/ˈʌɡ.li/
ug · ly
Adverb:uglily
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ugly Lexical Profile

ugly Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Unpleasant or repulsive, especially in physical appearance.

Example

"The city council voted to demolish the ugly concrete office block that had dominated the skyline for decades."

2

Involving or likely to involve hostility, conflict, or moral repugnance.

Example

"The peaceful demonstration turned into an ugly confrontation when rival factions began shouting insults."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for ugly

• Rhymes for ugly

• Nearby Words

ugli
uglify
ugliness
ugly
ugni
uh
uige

Word Origin & Etymology

Middle English uggely, borrowed from Old Norse uggligr ('fearful, dreadful'), from uggr ('fear, dread') + -ligr ('-ly'). The original sense of 'inspiring fear' gradually shifted to 'unpleasant to look at'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ugly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ugly
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