Definition

To make something look unattractive or unpleasant.

Example

The harsh lighting seemed to uglify the beautiful painting.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you see what they did to that old building downtown?

Yeah, they really managed to uglify it with those new renovations.

It's such a shame because it used to have so much character.

I know! Now it just looks like every other bland structure.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Uglify → It is formed from "ugly" (from Old English *ugly*, meaning unpleasant or repulsive) and "-fy" (from Latin *facere*, meaning to make). The word "uglify" means to make something ugly or to render it unpleasant in appearance.

Memory Tip

Think of making something 'ugly' — that's what 'uglify' means, to make something unpleasant to look at.

Visually Confused Words