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2 dictionary results for: Uglier
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
ug·ly       [uhg-lee] Pronunciation Key
–adjective, -li·er, -li·est.
1.very unattractive or unpleasant to look at; offensive to the sense of beauty; displeasing in appearance.
2.disagreeable; unpleasant; objectionable: ugly tricks; ugly discords.
3.morally revolting: ugly crime.
4.threatening trouble or danger: ugly symptoms.
5.mean; hostile; quarrelsome: an ugly mood; an ugly frame of mind.
6.(esp. of natural phenomena) unpleasant or dangerous: ugly weather; an ugly sea.
[Origin: 1200–50; ME ugly, uglike < ON uggligr fearful, dreadful, equiv. to ugg(r) fear + -ligr -ly]

—Related forms
ug·li·ly, adverb
ug·li·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. ill-favored, hard-featured, uncomely, unsightly, unlovely, homely. 3. base, heinous, vile, monstrous, corrupt. 4. disadvantageous, ominous. 5. surly, spiteful. 6. stormy, tempestuous.
—Antonyms 1. beautiful.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
ug·ly       (ŭg'lē)  Pronunciation Key 
adj.   ug·li·er, ug·li·est
  1. Displeasing to the eye; unsightly.
    1. Repulsive or offensive; objectionable: an ugly remark.
    2. Chiefly Southern U.S. Rude: Don't be ugly with me.
    3. New England Unmanageable. Used of animals, especially cows or horses.
    4. Likely to cause embarrassment or trouble: "Public opinion in both nations could take an ugly turn" (George R. Packard).
    5. Marked by or inclined to anger or bad feelings; disagreeable: an ugly temper; an ugly scene.
  3. Morally reprehensible; bad.
  4. Threatening or ominous: ugly black clouds.
    1. Likely to cause embarrassment or trouble: "Public opinion in both nations could take an ugly turn" (George R. Packard).
    2. Marked by or inclined to anger or bad feelings; disagreeable: an ugly temper; an ugly scene.

n.   pl. ug·lies Informal
One that is ugly.


[Middle English, frightful, repulsive, from Old Norse uggligr, from uggr, fear.]

ug'li·ly adv., ug'li·ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean offensive to the sense of sight: ugly furniture; a hideous scar; an ill-favored countenance; an unsightly billboard.

The standard sense of the adjective ugly becomes figurative in the common expression an ugly temper. Regional American speech shares this figurative sense and makes it even more specific. In New England ugly as applied to animals, especially large farm animals such as cows and horses, means "balky, hard to manage." In the South, on the other hand, ugly with the specific sense of "rude" is used of persons: Don't be ugly, son. Interestingly, the word clever (senses 4 through 6) follows the same regional pattern as ugly: in New England the specialized senses refer to animals; in the South, to persons.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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