Unsightly Meaning
/ʌnˈsaɪtli/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjDispleasing to the eye.
Sentence Examples
He has unsightly hairs growing out of his ears.
Dispose of used napkins before they become unsightly or unsanitary.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The abandoned building with broken windows was an ____ eyesore in the nice neighborhood.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The pile of rubbish in the park was an ____ mess that the local council promised to clear immediately today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Germanic *un- Proto-West Germanic *un- Old English un- Middle English un- English un- English sightly English unsightly From un- + sightly.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"For example, by changing the use of existing rooms, removing or replacing unsightly features, clearing obstacles to easy circulation, rearranging direction signs and generally introducing as much order as possible, most outdated station buildings can be made reasonably efficient and attractive."
— 1962 October, Brian Haresnape, “Focus on B.R. passenger stations”, in Modern Railways, page 252:
"“She had grown used to the quick speech of these people, but she wished he would not lick his lips that way. It did not make him any harder to understand, but it was unsightly.""
— 1992, Robert Jordan, “Chapter 38: Hidden Faces”, in The Shadow Rising (The Wheel of Time; 4), London: Orbit Books, published 2021, →ISBN, page 610:
"The removal of unsightly graffiti on the sides of railway bridges spanning major roads in the North West is to be handed over to National Highways, to speed up the job."
— 2021 October 20, “Network News: NR and NH tackle graffiti vandalism”, in RAIL, number 942, page 9:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The abandoned building with broken windows was an ____ eyesore in the nice neighborhood.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The pile of rubbish in the park was an ____ mess that the local council promised to clear immediately today.