What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ugly
Example
She was wearing an ugly sweater that clashed with her pants. [ugly: adjective]
Example
The graffiti on the wall was an ugly sight. [ugly: noun]
Example
It's an ugly thing to lie to your friends. [ugly: adjective]
unsightly
Example
The abandoned building was an unsightly blight on the neighborhood. [unsightly: adjective]
Example
The construction site was an unsightly mess. [unsightly: adjective]
Example
The scar on her face was unsightly and made her self-conscious. [unsightly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ugly is more commonly used than unsightly in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ugly and unsightly?
Both ugly and unsightly are relatively informal words, but unsightly may be perceived as slightly more formal due to its Latin roots.
