Ugliness & Grotesque Vocabulary

comically or repulsively ugly or distorted

“The grotesque masks were designed to frighten spirits away.”

Origin: French grotesque from Italian grottesco `of a cave`, from grotta `cave`

obtrusively bright and showy; lurid

“The garish neon signs dominated the landscape.”

Origin: Origin uncertain, possibly from obsolete gaure `to stare`

extravagantly bright or showy in a tasteless way

“The gaudy decorations overwhelmed the small room.”

Origin: Possibly from Middle English gaude `ornament, trick`, from Latin gaudium `joy`

characterized by pretentious or showy display

“His ostentatious wealth made others uncomfortable.”

Origin: Latin ostentare `display, show off`, from ostendere `to show`

showy but cheap and of poor quality

“The tawdry imitation lacked the original's charm.”

Origin: From tawdry lace, alteration of St. Audrey`s lace (cheap lace sold at St. Audrey`s fair)

apparently attractive but having no real value

“The meretricious promises of quick wealth lured victims.”

Origin: Latin meretricius `of a prostitute`, from meretrix `prostitute`, from merere `to earn`

disturbing because concerned with death and injury

“The macabre tales of Edgar Allan Poe still terrify readers.”

Origin: French macabre, possibly from Maccabees (medieval mystery plays about martyrdom)

very vivid in color; sensational or shocking

“The lurid headlines exaggerated the story's importance.”

Origin: Latin luridus `pale yellow, ghastly`, from luror `paleness`

a grotesque carved figure; an ugly person

“Stone gargoyles jutted from the cathedral walls.”

Origin: Old French gargouille `throat, gargoyle`, from Latin gurgulio `gullet`

ugly or disgusting to look at

“The hideous monster in the film terrified audiences.”

Origin: Old French hisdos, hideus `frightful`, possibly from hispidus `rough, shaggy`