ugly duckling

noun

: one that appears very unpromising but often has great potential

Examples of ugly duckling in a Sentence

The house is an ugly duckling, but it has a lot of potential.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But those are Club portfolio ugly ducklings on the precipice of third and fourth quarter split-ups. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2025 Kale At some point in recent history, kale went from ugly duckling to prom queen and is now so trendy it may be officially headed for a backlash. — Treehugger Editors, Treehugger, 7 Sep. 2023 Next, Hathaway must also sell the transition from ugly duckling to global glamour sensation. — Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026 But no amount of finessing the Beetle—the automotive equivalent of a Birkenstock sandal—would turn VW’s ugly duckling into a swan. — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ugly duckling

Word History

Etymology

The Ugly Duckling, story by Hans Christian Andersen

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ugly duckling was in 1869

Rhymes for ugly duckling

See All Rhymes for ugly duckling

Browse Nearby Words

Ugly American
ugly duckling
ugly-nest caterpillar
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ugly duckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ugly%20duckling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ugly duckling

noun
: a person or thing that seems unpromising but later develops great beauty, talent, or worth

More from Merriam-Webster on ugly duckling

Nglish: Translation of ugly duckling for Spanish Speakers

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