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Hideous Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hideous

[ˈhɪdiəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

appearance

Extremely unpleasant or ugly.

Synonyms

grotesque, monstrous, repulsive, ugly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hideous

Used to describe something or someone extremely unpleasant or shocking in appearance. Often implies a strong negative reaction.

  • The abandoned house had a hideous look at night
  • His behavior at the party was absolutely hideous
ugly

Used in a more general sense to describe something or someone unpleasant to look at. It is a less intense term compared to the others.

  • She was upset about the ugly comments on her post
  • Although his face was considered ugly, he had a kind heart
repulsive

Used to describe something or someone that causes a strong feeling of disgust or aversion. It can be related to appearance, smell, or behavior.

  • The smell coming from the trash was repulsive
  • His repulsive attitude made him very unpopular among his peers
grotesque

Used for something that is comically or repulsively ugly or distorted. Often implies a mix of horror and absurdity.

  • The painting depicted grotesque creatures that seemed like a nightmare
  • His grotesque sense of humor made everyone uncomfortable
monstrous

Used to describe something that is abnormally large, frighteningly unnatural, or shockingly wrong. It often implies something of a threatening nature.

  • The monstrous shape of the shadow terrified the children
  • The criminal's monstrous acts were condemned by everyone in the community

Examples of usage

  • The movie was full of hideous monsters.
  • She wore a hideous dress to the party.
Context #2 | Adjective

behavior

Extremely unpleasant or offensive.

Synonyms

abhorrent, atrocious, offensive, repugnant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hideous

Used to describe something extremely ugly or horrifying in appearance. It can also describe an action or situation that is shocking or dreadful.

  • She wore a hideous dress that looked like it belonged in the last century.
  • The crime scene was hideous; no one could bear to look at it.
offensive

Used when describing something that causes someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset, often through disrespect or insensitivity. This term often carries a negative connotation.

  • His remarks about her weight were highly offensive.
  • The comedian's jokes were considered offensive by many in the audience.
repugnant

This word conveys a sense of intense disgust. It is often used to describe ideas, actions, or behaviors that are morally repulsive.

  • The idea of cheating in the exam was repugnant to her.
  • His repugnant behavior at the party got him kicked out.
abhorrent

Appropriate for describing something that causes a feeling of strong disgust or hatred, often due to a moral or ethical stance.

  • His racist opinions are absolutely abhorrent to me.
  • The thought of animal cruelty is abhorrent.
atrocious

Refers to something extremely bad or unpleasant, particularly in a manner that is shocking due to its severity or brutality.

  • The conditions in the prison were atrocious.
  • Her spelling was atrocious, and even basic words were often incorrect.

Examples of usage

  • He made a hideous joke that offended everyone.
  • The dictator's hideous acts of violence shocked the world.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Art

  • In visual arts, hideous imagery can provoke strong emotional responses, often used to critique society.
  • Some artists intentionally create hideous characters to explore themes of beauty and repulsion, challenging conventional norms.
  • Hideous creatures often appear in folklore and mythology, representing fears and moral lessons, like dragons or trolls.

Psychology

  • Research shows that our perception of beauty can be heavily influenced by cultural norms and experiences.
  • People often feel instinctively repulsed by things they deem hideous, which can be tied to evolutionary survival instincts.
  • The idea of something being hideous can evoke strong emotional reactions, often linked to personal experiences or societal trends.

Literature

  • Hideous characters often symbolize inner evil or moral corruption in literature, seen in classics like 'Frankenstein'.
  • In Gothic literature, hideous imagery evokes terror, contributing to the atmosphere and themes of dread.
  • Authors use hideous to critique societal standards of beauty, making readers question their perceptions.

Pop Culture

  • The concept of hideous often appears in monster movies or horror films to elicit fear and disgust.
  • Fairy tales sometimes feature hideous characters who undergo transformations, teaching lessons about inner beauty.
  • In comic books, hideous villains often represent extreme traits or ideologies, serving as foils to the heroes.

Origin of 'hideous'

Main points about word origin

  • The word descends from the Latin 'hideosus', meaning 'terrible' or 'dreadful'.
  • The root word 'hideo' in Latin is associated with 'to shudder', reflecting something that causes fear or disgust.
  • It has been in use in the English language since the 15th century, originally displaying a broader meaning related to horror.

The word 'hideous' originated in the late 14th century from the Middle French word 'hideus', meaning dreadful or horrible. It has been used to describe repulsive or offensive things throughout history, often in the context of appearance or behavior.

See also: hidden, hideaway, hideout, hiding.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,429, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.