# eyesore

/ˈaɪˌsɔɹ/ (US) · /ˈaɪsɔː/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/eyesore
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

something very ugly to look at, especially when everything around it looks nice. You use it for old buildings, rubbish piles, or messy signs that spoil a place.

For teachers: something visually unpleasant that spoils the appearance of its surroundings, such as a derelict building, rubbish pile, or neglected structure.

## Examples

- That old garage is an eyesore on our street.
- The neighbours complain that the abandoned factory is an eyesore that lowers the value of nearby homes.
- What the developer calls progress, preservationists dismiss as an eyesore that disrupts the historic streetscape and erases decades of architectural character.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.