Ugly vs. Beautiful — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 9, 2024
Ugly denotes unattractiveness or displeasing appearance, while beautiful signifies aesthetic appeal and attractiveness.
Difference Between Ugly and Beautiful
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ugly refers to something that is unpleasant or unattractive to look at, often evoking a sense of discomfort or aversion, whereas beautiful describes an object, person, or scene that is aesthetically pleasing and evokes admiration or delight.
While ugly can elicit negative emotional responses and is often subjective, depending on personal preferences and cultural standards, beautiful is typically associated with positive reactions and is also influenced by individual tastes and societal norms.
Ugly is often used to describe physical appearances that deviate from conventional beauty standards, but it can also refer to actions or behaviors deemed morally reprehensible, whereas beautiful, aside from physical beauty, can describe qualities or actions that are morally commendable or heartwarming.
In the realm of art and design, something ugly may be intentionally created to challenge traditional notions of beauty or to evoke specific emotions or thoughts, while beautiful works are often created to provide visual pleasure or convey idealized concepts of beauty.
The perception of what is ugly and what is beautiful can change over time and vary greatly across different cultures, highlighting the subjective nature of these concepts and their dependence on societal values and trends.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Unpleasant or unattractive appearance.
Aesthetically pleasing and attractive.
Emotional Response
Negative, such as discomfort or aversion.
Positive, such as admiration or delight.
Subjectivity
Highly subjective, varies by individual and culture.
Also subjective, influenced by personal and cultural standards.
Application
Can refer to physical appearance and morally reprehensible actions.
Often relates to physical beauty and commendable qualities.
Purpose in Art
May challenge beauty norms or evoke specific emotions.
Often to provide visual pleasure or convey ideal beauty.
Compare with Definitions
Ugly
Unpleasant to look at.
The dilapidated house had an ugly appearance.
Beautiful
Pleasing to the senses.
The sunset was breathtakingly beautiful.
Ugly
Morally despicable actions.
Betrayal is considered an ugly deed.
Beautiful
Harmonious or aesthetically pleasing.
The composition of the painting was beautiful.
Ugly
Invoking negative feelings.
The argument turned ugly quickly.
Beautiful
Admirable qualities or actions.
Her kindness was a beautiful aspect of her character.
Ugly
Unfavorable conditions or situations.
The weather turned ugly unexpectedly.
Beautiful
Idealized or perfection in appearance.
The model had a classically beautiful face.
Ugly
Deviating from beauty standards.
The sculpture's form was intentionally ugly.
Beautiful
Evoking wonder or admiration.
The story had a beautiful ending.
Ugly
Displeasing to the eye; unsightly.
Beautiful
Having qualities that delight or appeal to the senses and often the mind.
Ugly
Repulsive or offensive; objectionable
An ugly remark.
Beautiful
Excellent; wonderful
Hit a beautiful shot from the tee.
Ugly
Chiefly Southern US Rude
Don't be ugly with me.
Beautiful
Used to express approval or delight.
Ugly
New England Unmanageable. Used of animals, especially cows or horses.
Beautiful
Attractive and possessing beauty.
Anyone who has ever met her thought she was absolutely beautiful.
There's a beautiful lake by the town.
Ugly
Morally reprehensible; bad.
Beautiful
Good, admirable.
He was a beautiful person; he would drop everything to help you.
You've done a beautiful thing today.
Ugly
Threatening or ominous
Ugly black clouds.
Beautiful
(of the weather) Pleasant; clear.
It's beautiful outside, let's go for a walk.
Ugly
Likely to cause embarrassment or trouble
"Public opinion in both nations could take an ugly turn" (George R. Packard).
Beautiful
Well executed.
The skater performed a beautiful axel.
Ugly
Marked by or inclined to anger or bad feelings; disagreeable
An ugly temper.
An ugly scene.
Beautiful
Someone who is beautiful. Can be used as a term of address.
The man was faithful to his wife, ignoring the many blonde beautifuls who surrounded him wherever he went.
Hey, beautiful!
Ugly
One that is ugly.
Beautiful
Having the qualities which constitute beauty; pleasing to the sight or the mind.
A circle is more beautiful than a square; a square is more beautiful than a parallelogram.
Ugly
Displeasing to the eye; aesthetically unpleasing.
Beautiful
Delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration;
A beautiful child
Beautiful country
A beautiful painting
A beautiful theory
A beautiful party
Ugly
Displeasing to the ear or some other sense.
Beautiful
Aesthetically pleasing
Ugly
Offensive to one's sensibilities or morality.
He played an ugly trick on us.
Beautiful
(of weather) highly enjoyable;
What a beautiful day
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
Common Curiosities
What makes something ugly?
Something is considered ugly if it is unpleasant to look at or if it evokes negative emotions due to its appearance or nature.
Can beauty change over time?
Yes, perceptions of beauty can change over time with cultural shifts and personal growth.
Is ugly the opposite of beautiful?
In common usage, ugly is often seen as the opposite of beautiful, but the two can be complex and contextual.
Can something be both ugly and beautiful?
Yes, something can be considered ugly and beautiful by different people or even by the same person in different contexts.
Can an action be beautiful?
Yes, actions can be described as beautiful, especially when they embody virtues like kindness or bravery.
Can beauty be objective?
While there are some universal standards, beauty is largely subjective and influenced by personal and cultural preferences.
Is there beauty in simplicity?
Many find beauty in simplicity, appreciating clean lines, minimalism, or uncomplicated beauty.
Do ugly things have value?
Yes, things considered ugly can have value, such as in art where they may challenge perceptions or convey deep messages.
What role does nature play in beauty?
Nature is often a source of beauty, providing inspiration and a standard for aesthetics in various contexts.
How do cultural standards affect beauty?
Cultural standards play a significant role in defining beauty, influencing preferences and perceptions.
Can technology affect beauty standards?
Yes, technology, particularly media, can significantly influence and even change beauty standards.
Can art redefine beauty?
Art frequently challenges and redefines notions of beauty, pushing boundaries and introducing new perspectives.
Is beauty always visual?
Beauty can also be experienced through other senses, like hearing beautiful music or touching soft fabric.
How does language influence our perception of beauty and ugliness?
Language frames our perceptions, with words like "beautiful" and "ugly" carrying connotations that shape our views.
How do personal experiences influence perceptions of beauty?
Personal experiences shape individual tastes, making certain things more beautiful to some than to others.
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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
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
