ugly */*/

UK [ˈʌɡlɪ] / US adjective
Word forms "ugly":
adjective ugly comparative uglier superlative ugliest

1)

a) someone who is ugly has a face that is unpleasant to look at. Ugly is an unkind word, so people often use the word plain instead, to avoid causing offence

The other man was hideously ugly.

She won't wear T-shirts because she thinks her arms are ugly.

b) something that is ugly is unpleasant to look at

an ugly concrete bridge

Do you think its frame makes the picture look ugly?

2) very unpleasant

an ugly rumour

ugly racist propaganda

the ugly face of something (= the unpleasant aspect of it):

Critics have described the policy as the ugly face of Republicanism.

3) an ugly situation involves violent or angry behaviour

There were ugly scenes following the match.

an ugly confrontation

turn ugly (= become unpleasant):

The situation turned ugly when one of the police officers was hit by a rock.

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See:

rear III, sin I

Derived word:
ugliness
noun uncountable