/ ˈʌgli; NAmE / adjective ( ug·lier , ugli·est )
1.
unpleasant to look at
SYN unattractive :
an ugly face
an ugly building
2.
( of an event, a situation, etc. ) unpleasant or dangerous; involving threats or violence :
an ugly incident
There were ugly scenes in the streets last night as rioting continued.
► ugli·ness noun [ U ]
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IDIOMS
see rear verb , sin noun
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old Norse uggligr to be dreaded, from ugga to dread.