Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

ugly duckling

noun [C]
 
 

Definition

someone or something that is ugly and not successful when young or new but will later become beautiful or successfulNot attractive to look atSerious and unpleasant
(Definition of ugly duckling noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Word of the Day

rain on sb's parade

to do something that spoils someone's plans

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More