Ugly vs. Hideous: Understanding the Difference in English

In English, the words "ugly" and "hideous" both describe something unpleasant to look at, but they have slightly different meanings. "Ugly" is a general term for something unattractive. "Hideous" describes something extremely unpleasant and frightening to look at. It implies a much stronger sense of disgust or horror.

Here are some example sentences to help you understand the difference:

Ugly:

English: "That dress is ugly." Italian: "Quel vestito è brutto."

English: "He has an ugly scar on his face." Italian: "Ha una brutta cicatrice sul viso."

Hideous:

English: "The monster in the movie was hideous." Italian: "Il mostro nel film era orribile."

English: "The accident scene was hideous." Italian: "La scena dell'incidente era orribile."

English: "The painting is hideous." Italian: "Il quadro è orribile."

These examples demonstrate that while "ugly" might describe something simply unattractive, "hideous" describes something so unpleasant that it evokes a strong reaction. Learning these nuances will help you use these words more accurately.

Happy learning!

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