Fugly vs. Ugly — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 21, 2024
Fugly is a slang term meaning "extremely ugly," often used informally and considered more offensive, while ugly is a more common term describing something unattractive or unpleasant in appearance.
Difference Between Fugly and Ugly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Fugly's informal nature means it is often found in casual speech, social media, and among friends who understand its crude humor. In contrast, ugly is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations without causing significant offense, making it a safer choice for public discourse.
The intensity of fugly suggests a deeper level of repulsion than ugly. When something is called fugly, it is not just unattractive but often shockingly so. Ugly, meanwhile, covers a range of unattractiveness from mildly displeasing to quite unattractive, but without the same level of emphasis.
Fugly can sometimes carry a humorous or exaggerated tone, used to elicit a strong reaction or to emphasize just how unattractive something is. Ugly is straightforward and lacks the built-in exaggeration, used more plainly to describe someone's appearance, an object, or a situation.
Fugly's origins and explicitness mean it's rarely used in writing unless the context demands a very strong, explicit descriptor. Ugly, however, appears commonly in literature, journalism, and everyday writing, suitable for a wide range of descriptions from physical appearance to moral character.
Comparison Chart
Intensity
Extreme level of unattractiveness
Range of unattractiveness
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Usage Context
Casual, slang, humorous
Broad, from casual to formal
Acceptability
Often considered offensive
Generally acceptable
Tone
Exaggerated, sometimes humorous
Neutral, straightforward
Compare with Definitions
Fugly
Informal, offensive slang for very unattractive.
The shoes were fugly, but they were on sale.
Ugly
Unpleasant to look at; unattractive.
The building looked ugly after the storm damage.
Fugly
Harshly unattractive, often used humorously.
He wore a fugly sweater to the party as a joke.
Ugly
Causing a strong negative reaction due to appearance.
The bruise on his arm looked ugly.
Fugly
Used to describe something intensely unpleasant in appearance.
The abandoned house was fugly, with broken windows and graffiti.
Ugly
Unpleasant or disagreeable.
The negotiations took an ugly turn.
Fugly
Extremely ugly; repulsive.
That painting is fugly; I can't believe anyone would display it.
Ugly
Morally bad or wicked.
She had an ugly attitude towards her colleagues.
Fugly
Extremely ugly.
Ugly
Displeasing to the eye; unsightly.
Fugly
An extremely ugly person.
Ugly
Repulsive or offensive; objectionable
An ugly remark.
Ugly
Chiefly Southern US Rude
Don't be ugly with me.
Ugly
New England Unmanageable. Used of animals, especially cows or horses.
Ugly
Morally reprehensible; bad.
Ugly
Threatening or ominous
Ugly black clouds.
Ugly
Likely to cause embarrassment or trouble
"Public opinion in both nations could take an ugly turn" (George R. Packard).
Ugly
Marked by or inclined to anger or bad feelings; disagreeable
An ugly temper.
An ugly scene.
Ugly
One that is ugly.
Ugly
Displeasing to the eye; aesthetically unpleasing.
Ugly
Displeasing to the ear or some other sense.
Ugly
Offensive to one's sensibilities or morality.
He played an ugly trick on us.
Ugly
(Southern US) Ill-natured; crossgrained; quarrelsome.
An ugly temper; to feel ugly
Ugly
Unpleasant; disagreeable; likely to cause trouble or loss.
An ugly rumour; an ugly customer; an ugly wound
With all this competition, expect things to get ugly.
Ugly
Ugliness.
Ugly
(slang) An ugly person or thing.
Ugly
Any product whose size and shape prevents it from fitting neatly on a pallet.
Ugly
A shade for the face, projecting from a bonnet.
Ugly
To make ugly (sometimes with up).
Ugly
Offensive to the sight; contrary to beauty; being of disagreeable or loathsome aspect; unsightly; repulsive; deformed.
The ugly view of his deformed crimes.
Like the toad, ugly and venomous.
O, I have passed a miserable night,So full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams.
Ugly
Ill-natured; crossgrained; quarrelsome; as, an ugly temper; to feel ugly.
Ugly
Unpleasant; disagreeable; likely to cause trouble or loss; as, an ugly rumor; an ugly customer.
Ugly
A shade for the face, projecting from the bonnet.
Ugly
To make ugly.
Ugly
Displeasing to the senses and morally revolting;
An ugly face
Ugly furniture
War is ugly
Ugly
Deficient in beauty;
Ugly gray slums
Ugly
Inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace;
A surly waiter
An ugly frame of mind
Ugly
Morally reprehensible;
Would do something as despicable as murder
Ugly crimes
The vile development of slavery appalled them
Ugly
Threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments;
A baleful look
Forbidding thunderclouds
His tone became menacing
Ominous rumblings of discontent
Sinister storm clouds
A sinister smile
His threatening behavior
Ugly black clouds
The situation became ugly
Ugly
Provoking horror;
An atrocious automobile accident
A frightful crime of decapitation
An alarming, even horrifying, picture
War is beyond all words horrible
An ugly wound
Ugly
Visually unappealing, lacking beauty.
The wallpaper in the old house was ugly.
Common Curiosities
What does fugly mean?
Fugly is a slang term combining "f***ing" and "ugly," indicating something extremely unattractive.
Can fugly be used in formal writing?
No, fugly is highly informal and inappropriate for formal contexts.
Where did the term fugly originate?
Fugly originated as a portmanteau of "f***ing" and "ugly," used in informal slang.
Is ugly used to describe only physical appearance?
No, ugly can describe physical appearance, moral character, or situations.
Is ugly always negative?
Yes, ugly describes something unattractive or unpleasant, but its intensity varies.
Is fugly used internationally?
Fugly is understood in many English-speaking regions but remains informal and slang.
Does fugly have any synonyms?
Synonyms for fugly include grotesque, hideous, and repulsive.
Does ugly have multiple meanings?
Yes, ugly can refer to appearance, behavior, or an unpleasant situation.
Can you use ugly in a compliment?
Generally, no. Ugly is inherently negative, unlike terms like "unique" which can be complimentary.
Can fugly be used humorously?
Yes, fugly is often used humorously to exaggerate unattractiveness.
Can ugly describe a person's behavior?
Yes, ugly can describe behavior, such as an "ugly argument."
Is ugly appropriate in all contexts?
Generally, yes. Ugly is versatile and acceptable in both casual and formal contexts.
Is fugly a recent term?
Fugly is a relatively recent slang term compared to the longstanding use of ugly.
Is fugly gender-specific?
No, fugly can describe anything or anyone regardless of gender, but it remains derogatory.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
