hideous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
    outrageous; horrific; horrid.
    • subjected to outrageous cruelty
    • a hideous pattern of injustice
    • horrific conditions in the mining industry
  2. adjective satellite so extremely ugly as to be terrifying
    repulsive.
    • a hideous scar
    • a repulsive mask

WordNet

Hid"e*ous adjective
Etymology
OE. hidous, OF. hidous, hidos, hidus, hisdos, hisdous, F. hideux: cf. OF. hide, hisde, fright; of uncertain origin; cf. OHG. egidi horror, or L. hispidosus, for hispidus rough, bristly, E. hispid.
Definitions
  1. Frightful, shocking, or offensive to the eyes; dreadful to behold; as, a hideous monster; hideous looks. "A piteous and hideous spectacle." Macaulay.
  2. Distressing or offensive to the ear; exciting terror or dismay; as, a hideous noise. "Hideous cries." Shak.
  3. Hateful; shocking. "Sure, you have some hideous matter to deliver." Shak. Syn. -- Frightful; ghastly; grim; grisly; horrid; dreadful; terrible. -- Hid"e*ous*ly, adv. -- Hid"e*ous*ness, n.

Webster 1913