What does hideous mean?
Hideous is a strong adjective meaning extremely ugly, grotesque, or disturbing to look at. It is especially vivid when describing a face, creature, object, or scene whose appearance is so unpleasant that it causes shock or revulsion. The word also has a broader figurative use for things that are exceptionally unpleasant, frightening, cruel, or morally shocking, such as a decision, punishment, or experience. Because “hideous” is emphatic, it conveys stronger disapproval or alarm than gentler terms such as “ugly,” “bad,” or “unpleasant.” It is used in everyday speech as well as in literary, journalistic, and formal descriptions. The word appears in both British and American English with essentially the same meaning. Although its sound may suggest a connection with “hide,” that association is not part of its modern meaning. Hideous is especially useful when an author wants to evoke an immediate emotional response through a word that is memorable, forceful, and unmistakably negative.
adjectiveExtremely ugly or grotesque in appearance; figuratively, extremely unpleasant, shocking, or objectionable.
- Extremely ugly, grotesque, or repulsive in appearance.
- Extremely unpleasant, frightening, or shocking, especially when describing a situation, experience, or act.
"The abandoned building was a hideous sight, with shattered windows and graffiti covering every wall."
"She wore a hideous fluorescent jacket that seemed to glow in the dark."
"The decision to cancel the concert caused widespread disappointment, but the response to the dangerous weather was hideous."
Hideous began as a word about appearance: its Old French ancestor could mean “hairy” before English used it for extreme ugliness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hideous come from?
The word entered Middle English from Old French hideus, a form derived from Latin hīdeus, meaning “hideous” or “horrible.” The Old French word could also refer to something hairy or covered with hair. Its relationship to Latin hīdēre, “to hide,” has often been proposed, although that connection is not certain.
Related word forms
How hideous is actually used
The word is emphatic and commonly informal, though it also appears in literary and journalistic prose. Its figurative use can describe morally objectionable conduct as well as physical appearance or frightening conditions.
Easily confused with hideous
Hideous usually describes extreme ugliness or visual horror, whereas heinous describes something exceptionally wicked or morally shocking.