ugly

[ˈʌɡli]

ugly Definition

unpleasant or repulsive, especially in appearance.

Using ugly: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ugly" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    She was wearing an ugly dress.

  • Example

    The building was an ugly concrete block.

  • Example

    His behavior towards her was really ugly.

  • Example

    The situation turned ugly when the protesters clashed with the police.

ugly Synonyms and Antonyms

Phrases with ugly

  • a person or thing that initially appears unattractive or unpromising but has hidden potential

    Example

    He was always the ugly duckling in his family, but he became a successful businessman.

  • an unpleasant or inconvenient fact that is true despite its unpleasantness

    Example

    The ugly truth is that we can't afford to buy a new car right now.

  • a stereotypical portrayal of Americans as loud, arrogant, and insensitive to other cultures

    Example

    He was afraid of being seen as an ugly American while traveling abroad.

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Summary: ugly in Brief

The term 'ugly' [ˈʌɡli] refers to something unpleasant or repulsive, particularly in appearance. It can describe anything from clothing to behavior, as in 'His behavior towards her was really ugly.' The phrase 'ugly duckling' describes a person or thing that initially appears unattractive but has hidden potential, while 'ugly truth' refers to an unpleasant fact that is true despite its unpleasantness.

How do native speakers use this expression?