Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old Norse
Origin: uggligr 'frightening', from uggr 'fear'

ugly

 adjective
     
ug‧ly comparative uglier, superlative ugliest
1 extremely unattractive and unpleasant to look at [= hideous; ≠ beautiful]:
a very ugly man
the ugliest building in town
Nick's dog is as ugly as sin (=very ugly).
2 used to describe a situation which is very bad or violent, and which makes you feel frightened or threatened:
There were ugly scenes as rival gangs started attacking each other.
3 ugly ideas, feelings, remarks etc are unpleasant:
Jealousy is an ugly emotion.
ugly rumors
4

ugly duckling

someone who is less attractive, successful etc than other people, but who becomes beautiful and successful later
—ugliness noun [uncountable]
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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