adj. (uglier, ugliest) 1 unpleasing or repulsive to see or hear (an ugly scar; spoke with an ugly snarl). 2 unpleasantly suggestive; discreditable (ugly rumours are about). 3 threatening, dangerous (the sky has an ugly look). 4 morally repulsive; vile (ugly vices). ugly customer an unpleasantly formidable person. ugly duckling a person who turns out to be beautiful or talented etc. against all expectations (with ref. to a cygnet in a brood of ducks in a tale by Andersen). uglily adv. ugliness n.
[ ME f. ON uggligr to be dreaded f. ugga to dread ]