# hideous

/ˈhɪdiəs/ (US) · /hˈɪdiəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hideous
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. extremely ugly

adjective · CEFR B2

very ugly or unpleasant to look at.

For teachers: extremely or shockingly ugly in appearance; offensive to the aesthetic sense.

- The old wallpaper was a hideous shade of green that made the room feel dark.
- The new office block was widely condemned as a hideous addition to the historic skyline, clashing violently with the surrounding Victorian architecture.

### 2. morally shocking

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

very bad, cruel, or shocking in a way that makes you feel angry.

For teachers: morally offensive, detestable, or shockingly wicked.

- The newspaper reported on the hideous crimes committed during the war.
- The investigation revealed a series of hideous abuses of power that had been systematically covered up by the administration for decades.

### 3. unpleasant sound

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary

a sound that is very loud, frightening, or unpleasant to hear.

For teachers: producing a very unpleasant, harsh, or frightening sound.

- A hideous screech came from the old brakes as the train stopped.
- The silence of the moor was suddenly shattered by a hideous, low-pitched wail that seemed to emanate from the earth itself.

## Examples

- The old wallpaper was a hideous shade of green.
- The architect's new design was widely criticized as a hideous addition to the historic skyline.
- The witness provided a hideous account of the events, detailing a level of cruelty that left the entire courtroom in a state of stunned silence.

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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.