Etymology Map
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Hideous

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means extremely ugly

Where does the word "hideous" come from? It comes from Latin hispidus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
hispidus
Latin · ancient
"shaggy, bristly"
a possible Latin source, though some trace it to a Germanic root
2
Stage 2 of 3
hisdos
Old French · medieval
"frightful"
from 'hisde', horror
3
Stage 3 of 3
hideous
English · 1300s
"terrifying"
shifted from frightening to visually ugly
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Read the full story

Hideous’s story begins in Latin: hispidus meant “shaggy, bristly.” A possible Latin source, though some trace it to a Germanic root. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as hisdos. From 'hisde', horror. It reached English by 1300s as hideous. Shifted from frightening to visually ugly. Today, hideous means extremely ugly.