hideous

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Extremely ugly or unpleasant to look at.

   Grammar: Gradable; can be used with 'very' or in the comparative 'more hideous'.

   Patterns

   • a hideous something
   • look hideous
   • something is hideous

   The building was hideous, with bright orange walls and no windows.

   She wore a hideous dress that everyone stared at.

   The sculpture was so hideous that it became famous.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Extremely unpleasant or shocking to think about or experience.

   Grammar: Used to describe situations, actions, or ideas that cause strong disgust or horror.

   Patterns

   • a hideous crime
   • hideous behavior
   • something is hideous

   The war brought hideous suffering to thousands.

   He committed a hideous crime and was sentenced to life in prison.

   The accident left hideous scars on his face.

Word forms

Common combinations

absolutely hideous

The colors in that room are absolutely hideous.

look hideous

I look hideous in this photo.

a hideous crime

The hideous crime shocked the entire community.

a hideous noise

A hideous noise came from the basement.

hideous suffering

The refugees endured hideous suffering.

Synonyms and how they differ

ugly

A general word for unattractive appearance; hideous is much stronger and suggests extreme ugliness.

grotesque

Suggests a strange, distorted ugliness; hideous is more about strong disgust.

repulsive

Focuses on causing strong dislike or disgust; hideous can also mean extremely ugly in appearance.

ghastly

Can mean horrifying or very unpleasant; hideous is stronger and more often about appearance.

Opposites

Word family

hideously adverb

In a hideous manner; extremely ugly or unpleasantly.

hideousness noun

The quality of being hideous.

Commonly confused: hideous or heinous?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hideous”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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