First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
hideous
adjective hid·eous \ˈhi-dē-əs\
: very ugly or disgusting
Full Definition of HIDEOUS
1
: offensive to the senses and especially to sight : exceedingly ugly
2
: morally offensive : shocking
— hid·eos·ity \ˌhi-dē-ˈä-sə-tē\ noun
— hid·eous·ly adverb
— hid·eous·ness noun
See hideous defined for English-language learners
See hideous defined for kids
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Origin of HIDEOUS
alteration of Middle English hidous, from Anglo-French hidus, hisdos, from Old French hisde, hide terror
Related to HIDEOUS
- Synonyms
- abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, offensive, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, rancid, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly
- Antonyms
- innocuous, inoffensive
HIDEOUSNESS Defined for Kids
hideous
adjective hid·eous \ˈhi-dē-əs\
Definition of HIDEOUS for Kids
: very ugly or disgusting : frightful
— hid·eous·ly adverb
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