Pretty vs. Ugly: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Pretty refers to being aesthetically pleasing and attractive, while ugly denotes a lack of beauty or unpleasant appearance.
Key Differences
Pretty is often used to describe something that is aesthetically pleasing and visually attractive, evoking a sense of beauty and charm. Conversely, ugly is used to signify the absence of beauty, often eliciting a negative emotional response due to its unappealing appearance.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
In the context of aesthetics, pretty is associated with qualities that are pleasing to the senses, especially sight, often implying delicacy and grace. On the other hand, ugly typically refers to something that is displeasing to look at, lacking in harmony or grace.
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Dec 12, 2023
The term pretty can also convey a sense of modest or subtle beauty, not necessarily overwhelming but rather appealing in a gentle way. In contrast, ugly often implies a stark or jarring unpleasantness, which can be striking in its lack of aesthetic appeal.
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Dec 12, 2023
Pretty is used in a positive context, often to enhance or praise the subject's appearance or qualities. Ugly, however, is used in a negative sense, often to criticize or diminish the subject's appearance or qualities.
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Dec 12, 2023
In cultural and social contexts, what is considered pretty can vary widely, reflecting differing standards of beauty. Similarly, perceptions of ugliness can differ greatly, as what one culture or individual finds unattractive, another may not.
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Dec 12, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Aesthetic Appeal
Pleasing and attractive to the senses.
Lacking beauty; unpleasant in appearance.
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Emotional Response
Evokes positive feelings and admiration.
Often elicits negative feelings or repulsion.
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Dec 12, 2023
Cultural Variation
Standards of prettiness can vary across cultures.
Standards of ugliness also vary widely.
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Dec 12, 2023
Usage in Language
Used to enhance or praise.
Used in a negative or critical context.
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Dec 12, 2023
Degree of Impact
Implies subtle or modest beauty.
Suggests stark or strong lack of beauty.
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Pretty and Ugly Definitions
Pretty
Fairly or moderately; used as an intensifier.
It's pretty cold outside today.
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Dec 05, 2023
Ugly
Morally reprehensible or offensive.
The scandal revealed the ugly truth behind the company's success.
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Pretty
Attractively or pleasingly.
The garden looked pretty in the springtime.
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Ugly
Unpleasant or repulsive, especially in appearance.
The building was an ugly concrete structure.
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Ugly
Causing displeasure or discomfort.
His injury was an ugly sight to behold.
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Pretty
Very bad; terrible
In a pretty predicament.
A situation that has reached a pretty pass.
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Pretty
Ostensibly or superficially attractive but lacking substance or conviction
Full of pretty phrases.
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Ugly
Likely to cause embarrassment or trouble
"Public opinion in both nations could take an ugly turn" (George R. Packard).
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Ugly
Marked by or inclined to anger or bad feelings; disagreeable
An ugly temper.
An ugly scene.
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Dec 05, 2023
Pretty
Pleasant to the sight or other senses; attractive, especially of women or children.
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Dec 05, 2023
Pretty
Fine-looking; only superficially attractive; initially appealing but having little substance; see petty.
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Dec 05, 2023
Ugly
Offensive to one's sensibilities or morality.
He played an ugly trick on us.
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Dec 05, 2023
Ugly
(Southern US) Ill-natured; crossgrained; quarrelsome.
An ugly temper; to feel ugly
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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.
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Pretty
(dated) Excellent, commendable, pleasing; fitting or proper (of actions, thoughts etc.).
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Ugly
Any product whose size and shape prevents it from fitting neatly on a pallet.
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Pretty
Something that is pretty.
We'll stop at the knife store and look at the sharp pretties.
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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.
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Dec 05, 2023
Ugly
Ill-natured; crossgrained; quarrelsome; as, an ugly temper; to feel ugly.
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Dec 05, 2023
Pretty
Pleasing by delicacy or grace; attracting, but not striking or impressing; of a pleasing and attractive form a color; having slight or diminutive beauty; neat or elegant without elevation or grandeur; pleasingly, but not grandly, conceived or expressed; as, a pretty face; a pretty flower; a pretty poem.
This is the prettiest lowborn lass that everRan on the greensward.
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Ugly
Unpleasant; disagreeable; likely to cause trouble or loss; as, an ugly rumor; an ugly customer.
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Pretty
Affectedly nice; foppish; - used in an ill sense.
The pretty gentleman is the most complaisant in the world.
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Pretty
Mean; despicable; contemptible; - used ironically; as, a pretty trick; a pretty fellow.
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Ugly
Displeasing to the senses and morally revolting;
An ugly face
Ugly furniture
War is ugly
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Pretty
Stout; strong and brave; intrepid; valiant.
[He] observed they were pretty men, meaning not handsome.
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Pretty
In some degree; moderately; considerably; rather; almost; - less emphatic than very; as, I am pretty sure of the fact; pretty cold weather.
Pretty plainly professes himself a sincere Christian.
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Ugly
Inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace;
A surly waiter
An ugly frame of mind
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Pretty
Pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing;
Pretty girl
Pretty song
Pretty room
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Ugly
Morally reprehensible;
Would do something as despicable as murder
Ugly crimes
The vile development of slavery appalled them
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Pretty
(used ironically) unexpectedly bad;
A pretty mess
A pretty kettle of fish
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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
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Pretty
Used as an intensifier (`jolly' is used informally in Britain);
Pretty big
Pretty bad
Jolly decent of him
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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
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Pretty
Pleasing in appearance, especially delicately beautiful.
She wore a pretty dress to the party.
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Pretty
Appealing to the emotions or senses.
He told a pretty story that made everyone smile.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is ugly always about physical appearance?
No, ugly can also refer to something morally reprehensible or unpleasant.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can the perception of pretty and ugly change?
Yes, perceptions of beauty and unattractiveness can vary across cultures and individuals.
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Dec 12, 2023
Does ugly always indicate physical features?
No, it can also describe character traits or situations.
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Dec 12, 2023
What does pretty mean?
Pretty refers to something that is visually appealing, often delicately beautiful.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can ugly have positive connotations?
Typically, no. Ugly is used in a negative or critical context.
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Dec 12, 2023
How is pretty used in different contexts?
Pretty can be used in aesthetic, emotional, or general contexts to express approval or attractiveness.
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Dec 12, 2023
Are pretty and ugly opposites?
In terms of aesthetic appeal, yes, they are often considered opposites.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can pretty be used to describe things other than appearance?
Yes, pretty can also describe something pleasing in a general sense.
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Dec 12, 2023
Does ugly always have a negative impact?
Generally, yes. Ugly usually has a negative impact or connotation.
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Dec 12, 2023
Is pretty a compliment?
Yes, calling something pretty is generally a compliment.
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Dec 12, 2023
What is the definition of ugly?
Ugly means lacking in beauty or being unpleasant to look at.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can pretty be used as an adverb?
Yes, pretty can be used as an adverb to mean 'fairly' or 'quite.'
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Dec 12, 2023
Can ugly be a term of endearment?
It's rare, but in some contexts, ugly can be used affectionately or humorously.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can pretty be used ironically?
Yes, in some contexts, pretty can be used ironically.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can something be both pretty and ugly?
In certain artistic or subjective contexts, yes, though it's uncommon.
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Dec 12, 2023
Do pretty and ugly have different intensities?
Yes, pretty often implies a subtler beauty, while ugly can imply a stronger lack of beauty.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Can the meaning of ugly change over time?
Yes, perceptions of what is ugly can evolve with cultural and social changes.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Is ugly subjective?
Yes, what is considered ugly can be subjective and vary between individuals.
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Dec 12, 2023
Is pretty a subjective term?
Yes, what is considered pretty can vary widely among individuals.
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Dec 12, 2023
Is pretty always a physical descriptor?
No, pretty can describe qualities or feelings that are pleasing or satisfactory.
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Dec 12, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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