English Explanatory Dictionary

ugly duckling

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A young person who is ugly, but who is expected to become beautiful or handsome as they mature.
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see ugly, duckling.

Pronunciation

ŭg′lē dŭk′lĭng /ˈʌɡ.liː ˌdʌk.lɪŋ/ /ˈʌɡ.li ˌdʌk.lɪŋ/ /ˈɐɡ.liː ˌdɐk.lɪŋ/ en-au-ugly duckling.ogg /ˈɐɡ.liː ˌdɐk.ləŋ/ /ˈəɡ.liː ˌɖək.lɪŋ/

Word forms

ugly duckling ugly ducklings

Etymology

Calque of Danish grim ælling. From the fairy tale of a duckling, considered ugly, that matures into a magnificent swan.

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