What does hideously mean?
Hideously is an adverb meaning “in an extremely ugly, unpleasant, or shocking way.” It is formed from the adjective hideous and is especially used to intensify visual ugliness, as in “hideously dressed,” but it can also describe actions or situations that are extremely offensive, unfair, or shocking. Its force comes from combining an already strong adjective with the ending -ly, making the description more emphatic than “hideous” alone. The word has a somewhat literary, dramatic tone and may sound deliberately exaggerated in informal conversation. It is consequently common in criticism, descriptive writing, and humorous reactions to something visually or morally appalling. Because of its strong negative connotation, hideously should generally not be used for mildly inconvenient or merely unpleasant circumstances.
adverbIn an extremely ugly, unpleasant, or shocking manner. It is used to intensify a negative description.
- In an extremely ugly or unpleasant manner; extremely shockingly or hideously.
"The old bridge was hideously rusted and clearly unsafe."
"She wore a hideously oversized coat that dominated the entire outfit."
"The committee's decision was hideously unfair to the applicants."
Hideously is the adverb for turning an ugly sight into an emphatic verdict.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hideously come from?
Hideously was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to the adjective hideous. Hideous itself entered English through Old French hideus, ultimately from Latin hideus, an adjective associated with roughness or an unpleasant appearance. The modern word is therefore a regular English derivative that preserves the strong sense of extreme ugliness or offensiveness.
Related word forms
How hideously is actually used
The word is strongly negative and usually literary or emphatic. In everyday use, it often conveys an impression of exaggerated disgust or ridicule.
Easily confused with hideously
Horribly can mean extremely badly or painfully, whereas hideously is especially associated with extreme ugliness or something intensely unpleasant to see.
Hideous is the adjective describing something extremely ugly or unpleasant, while hideously describes the manner in which such a quality is expressed or experienced.