Dictionary

big enough and ugly enough en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• (US) audio

Etymology

From the notion that youth, especially children, have a more beautiful and endearing appearance, thus maturity ought to make one not only bigger, but uglier too; though, in some cases, the opposite is true (see ugly duckling and its associated fairy tale, which illustrate such a case).

Meanings

1. (informal) Mature, grown-up, old enough (with the implication that one can look after oneself and make one's own decisions).
   • Don't worry – he'll come home. He's big enough and ugly enough to look after himself. 2014, Maggie Caldwell, Deceitful Desires, →ISBN, page 345:
   • Her aunt answered, 'You just go off my child. There are two young women here who are big enough and ugly enough to help me with the dishes.' 2002, Nokuthula Mazibuko, In the Fast Lane, →ISBN, page 59:

Forms

Relateds

big girl · big boy

Translations (3)

fr majeur et vacciné (Translations) · fi aikuinen (Translations) · pl pełnoletni (Translations)