Ugly in French

The word for “ugly” in French is:

moche or laid(e)

Both are commonly used, but they vary slightly in tone and context.

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1. moche – informal, everyday

• Used casually to describe something or someone unattractive

• Applies to people, objects, clothes, etc.

• Gender-neutral (same for masculine and feminine)

Example:
Ce pull est vraiment moche.
That sweater is really ugly.

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2. laid (masculine) / laide (feminine) – more formal or literary

• Can be stronger or more direct than moche

• Used in writing or when speaking seriously

Example:
C’est un chien très laid.
It’s a very ugly dog.

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Comparison Table

English	French	Notes
Ugly	moche	Informal, most common
Ugly	laid / laide	Slightly more formal/literal
Not pretty	pas joli / pas belle	Softer alternative

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Related Vocabulary

• affreux / affreuse – awful / hideous

• horrible – horrible

• repoussant / repoussante – repulsive

• dégoûtant / dégoûtante – disgusting

• mal habillé(e) – badly dressed

• de mauvais goût – in bad taste

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10 usage examples with translations

1. Cette robe est trop moche !
   That dress is so ugly!

2. Il n’est pas laid, mais il n’est pas très beau non plus.
   He’s not ugly, but not very handsome either.

3. C’est un bâtiment vraiment laid.
   That’s a really ugly building.

4. Je trouve ces chaussures moches.
   I think those shoes are ugly.

5. Elle a dit que son dessin était moche.
   She said her drawing was ugly.

6. Ce film a des effets spéciaux affreux.
   That movie has awful special effects.

7. Il a un sourire un peu bizarre, mais pas laid.
   He has a weird smile, but not an ugly one.

8. Tu n’es pas moche, tu es unique !
   You’re not ugly, you’re unique!

9. C’est de mauvais goût, pas forcément laid.
   It’s in poor taste, not necessarily ugly.

10. Le temps est vraiment moche aujourd’hui.
    The weather is really ugly today. (used figuratively)