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Glite Dictionary
short on looks

short on looks

6.7
Not attractive to look at
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : poco atractivo
  • Despite being short on looks, the apartment was cozy and affordable.

Examples

  • He joked that he was a bit short on looks but made up for it with personality.

  • The new car is short on looks but very efficient.

  • This smartphone is short on looks, but it's packed with features.

  • Although he is short on looks, his personality shines.

  • Although the car is short on looks, it offers an incredibly smooth ride.

  • Her new apartment is short on looks, but it is cozy and convenient.

  • The restaurant's decor is short on looks, yet the food is absolutely delicious.

Synonyms

unattractive
vsshort on looks
37 1.8

Not pleasant to look at or to the senses

is limited to visual appearance and physical beauty rather than broader senses
unbeautiful
vsshort on looks
1 6.2

Not attractive in looks or style

focuses specifically on visual appearance and physical beauty rather than other senses

Antonyms

beautiful
∞ 1.0

Pleasant to see, hear, or think about

attractive
680 1.0

Pleasing to look at or enjoy and making people interested

charming
418 1.0

Pleasant and attractive in a way that people like

How Attractive

beautiful
∞ 1.0
attractive
680 1.0
average
∞ 1.0
short on looks
  • Informal
6.7
unattractive
37 1.8
ugly
866 1.0

Surface Forms

short on looks positive

Morphology

short + on + look

The meaning 'not attractive' is directly derivable from combining 'short' (insufficient) with the productive pattern 'short on X' meaning 'lacking in X' plus 'looks' (appearance). This compositional pattern is common and predictable (e.g. 'short on cash/patience'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will likely infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Short on looks uses a simple picture: being short on something means you do not have enough of it, and looks means your appearance or how you look. So it means 'not attractive'.