Pretty vs. Ugly — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 25, 2024
Pretty refers to pleasing or attractive appearance, while ugly suggests a lack of beauty or unpleasantness to look at.
Difference Between Pretty and Ugly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Pretty is often used to describe something or someone that is visually appealing, conveying a sense of delicacy, beauty, or charm. Ugly, on the other hand, implies a strong deviation from beauty, often eliciting negative emotional responses due to perceived unattractiveness or displeasing characteristics.
The perception of what is considered pretty or ugly can vary greatly among cultures and individuals, influenced by societal norms, personal preferences, and cultural standards of beauty. While pretty evokes positive feelings and is associated with harmony and balance, ugly may provoke discomfort or disapproval, often linked to disharmony or imbalance.
In art and design, the terms pretty and ugly can transcend their basic aesthetic connotations, reflecting deeper values or deliberate choices by the artist or designer to evoke specific reactions or convey messages.
The distinction between pretty and ugly extends beyond physical appearance, influencing social interactions and opportunities. Attractive individuals might benefit from the "halo effect," where perceived beauty is associated with positive traits, whereas those deemed unattractive may face biases or negative stereotypes.
Despite their contrasting meanings, both concepts are subjective. What one person considers pretty, another might find ordinary or even unattractive, highlighting the personal nature of beauty and aesthetics.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Pleasing and attractive in appearance.
Unpleasant to look at; lacking beauty.
Emotional Response
Elicits positivity and admiration.
May provoke discomfort or disapproval.
Influence
Can affect social interactions positively.
May lead to biases or negative stereotypes.
Subjectivity
Varies with personal and cultural standards.
Also varies widely; can be highly subjective.
Usage in Arts
Often equated with harmony and balance.
Used to evoke reaction or convey a message.
Compare with Definitions
Pretty
Attractive in a delicate way without being truly beautiful.
The garden was filled with pretty flowers.
Ugly
Often used to express strong dislike or disapproval.
The debate turned ugly quickly.
Pretty
Used to describe something that has a pleasant appearance.
She wore a pretty dress to the party.
Ugly
May be used to emphasize the need for aesthetic improvement.
The room was ugly until they redecorated.
Pretty
Can refer to superficial or minor attractiveness.
The painting was pretty but lacked depth.
Ugly
Can describe morally reprehensible or offensive situations.
The scandal revealed the ugly truth behind the company.
Pretty
Sometimes implies charm or appeal beyond physical appearance.
He has a pretty sense of humor.
Ugly
Unpleasant or repulsive to the sight.
The abandoned building had an ugly facade.
Pretty
Subject to personal interpretation and cultural influence.
The mural was considered pretty by many locals.
Ugly
Reflects societal and individual perceptions of beauty.
The sculpture was controversial for its perceived ugliness.
Pretty
(of a person, especially a woman or child) attractive in a delicate way without being truly beautiful
A pretty little girl with an engaging grin
Ugly
Displeasing to the eye; unsightly.
Pretty
Used ironically to express annoyance or displeasure
He led me a pretty dance
Ugly
Repulsive or offensive; objectionable
An ugly remark.
Pretty
To a moderately high degree; fairly
He looked pretty fit for his age
It was a pretty bad injury
Ugly
Chiefly Southern US Rude
Don't be ugly with me.
Pretty
An attractive thing, especially a trinket
He buys her lots of pretties—bangles and rings
Ugly
New England Unmanageable. Used of animals, especially cows or horses.
Pretty
Make pretty or attractive
She'll be all prettied up and ready to go in an hour
Ugly
Morally reprehensible; bad.
Pretty
Pleasing or attractive in a graceful or delicate way.
Ugly
Threatening or ominous
Ugly black clouds.
Pretty
Clever; adroit
A pretty maneuver.
Ugly
Likely to cause embarrassment or trouble
"Public opinion in both nations could take an ugly turn" (George R. Packard).
Pretty
Very bad; terrible
In a pretty predicament.
A situation that has reached a pretty pass.
Ugly
Marked by or inclined to anger or bad feelings; disagreeable
An ugly temper.
An ugly scene.
Pretty
Ostensibly or superficially attractive but lacking substance or conviction
Full of pretty phrases.
Ugly
One that is ugly.
Pretty
(Informal) Considerable in size or extent
A pretty fortune.
Ugly
Displeasing to the eye; aesthetically unpleasing.
Pretty
To a fair degree; moderately
A pretty good student.
Ugly
Displeasing to the ear or some other sense.
Pretty
In a pretty manner; prettily or pleasingly.
Ugly
Offensive to one's sensibilities or morality.
He played an ugly trick on us.
Pretty
One that is pretty.
Ugly
(Southern US) Ill-natured; crossgrained; quarrelsome.
An ugly temper; to feel ugly
Pretty
Pretties Delicate clothing, especially lingerie.
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.
Pretty
To make pretty
Pretty up the house.
Ugly
Ugliness.
Pretty
Pleasant to the sight or other senses; attractive, especially of women or children.
Ugly
(slang) An ugly person or thing.
Pretty
Of objects or things: nice-looking, appealing.
Ugly
Any product whose size and shape prevents it from fitting neatly on a pallet.
Pretty
Fine-looking; only superficially attractive; initially appealing but having little substance; see petty.
Ugly
A shade for the face, projecting from a bonnet.
Pretty
Cunning; clever, skilful.
Ugly
To make ugly (sometimes with up).
Pretty
(dated) Moderately large; considerable.
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.
Pretty
(dated) Excellent, commendable, pleasing; fitting or proper (of actions, thoughts etc.).
Ugly
Ill-natured; crossgrained; quarrelsome; as, an ugly temper; to feel ugly.
Pretty
(ironic) Awkward, unpleasant.
Ugly
Unpleasant; disagreeable; likely to cause trouble or loss; as, an ugly rumor; an ugly customer.
Pretty
Somewhat, fairly, quite; sometimes also (by meiosis) very.
Ugly
A shade for the face, projecting from the bonnet.
Pretty
(dialect) Prettily, in a pretty manner.
Ugly
To make ugly.
Pretty
A pretty person; a term of address to a pretty person.
Ugly
Displeasing to the senses and morally revolting;
An ugly face
Ugly furniture
War is ugly
Pretty
Something that is pretty.
We'll stop at the knife store and look at the sharp pretties.
Ugly
Deficient in beauty;
Ugly gray slums
Pretty
To make pretty; to beautify
Ugly
Inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace;
A surly waiter
An ugly frame of mind
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.
Ugly
Morally reprehensible;
Would do something as despicable as murder
Ugly crimes
The vile development of slavery appalled them
Pretty
Moderately large; considerable; as, he had saved a pretty fortune.
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
Pretty
Affectedly nice; foppish; - used in an ill sense.
The pretty gentleman is the most complaisant in the world.
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
Pretty
Mean; despicable; contemptible; - used ironically; as, a pretty trick; a pretty fellow.
Pretty
Stout; strong and brave; intrepid; valiant.
[He] observed they were pretty men, meaning not handsome.
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.
Pretty
Pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing;
Pretty girl
Pretty song
Pretty room
Pretty
(used ironically) unexpectedly bad;
A pretty mess
A pretty kettle of fish
Pretty
Used as an intensifier (`jolly' is used informally in Britain);
Pretty big
Pretty bad
Jolly decent of him
Common Curiosities
Is beauty or ugliness purely subjective?
Yes, perceptions of beauty and ugliness are highly subjective, influenced by personal preferences and cultural norms.
How do societal standards affect what is considered pretty or ugly?
Societal standards play a significant role, often shaping and reflecting collective preferences and biases.
Can something be pretty and ugly at the same time?
In certain contexts and to different observers, yes, reflecting the complexity of aesthetic judgments.
Can attitudes towards what is pretty or ugly change over time?
Yes, attitudes can evolve with changing cultural norms, artistic movements, and individual experiences.
Are there benefits to redefining our concepts of pretty and ugly?
Redefining these concepts can promote inclusivity, reduce biases, and broaden our appreciation of diverse beauty.
How does the concept of pretty vs. ugly apply in art?
In art, these concepts can be used to challenge viewers, convey messages, or explore aesthetic boundaries beyond conventional beauty.
Does being considered pretty or ugly affect a person's life?
Yes, societal perceptions of beauty can impact social interactions, opportunities, and personal experiences.
How do personal experiences influence perceptions of beauty?
Personal experiences, including cultural background and individual preferences, significantly shape what individuals find attractive or unattractive.
How can something traditionally considered ugly be seen as pretty?
Through changing perspectives, appreciation of unconventional beauty, or understanding the deeper meaning or context.
Is the distinction between pretty and ugly important?
While it can be important in aesthetic and social contexts, recognizing the subjectivity and fluidity of these concepts is also valuable.
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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.
Edited 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.
