The superlative form of ugly; the most unattractive or unpleasant in appearance.
From Old Norse 'uggligr' (frightening or abhorrent). The word originally meant something that inspired fear or dread, not just visual unattractiveness.
The word 'ugly' comes from 'ug' meaning fear in Old Norse, not just appearance—so the phrase 'ugly truth' literally uses the word correctly, since 'ugly' originally meant something that frightened rather than looked bad.
Feminized beauty standards historically weaponized 'ugliness' against women; appearance-based insults disproportionately target women and girls for social control.
Avoid for humans; describe appearances objectively when necessary. Use for non-human objects/concepts only.
["least aesthetically conventional","describing specific features"]
Women artists and activists have reclaimed 'ugly' as resistance to impossible beauty standards; centering their work is important context.
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