An eyesore
Meaning
Something that is extremely ugly or unpleasant to look at.
Origin
The phrase "an eyesore" is brilliantly direct, literally meaning something that makes your eyes feel sore, not from physical injury, but from the sheer unpleasantness of its appearance. This wonderfully vivid term emerged into the English lexicon during the late 16th century, powerfully capturing the discomfort caused by visual ugliness. It was famously employed by William Shakespeare in Henry VI, Part 1, cementing its place in the language. Imagine a sight so jarring, so out of place, that it just aches to look at it—that's the deep, visceral feeling this simple compound word conveys, a potent descriptor for anything truly unlovely.
Examples
- That dilapidated old building has become a real eyesore in the otherwise beautiful town square.
- My neighbor's perpetually overgrown yard is an eyesore that detracts from the whole street's appeal.