Unattractive

/ʌnəˈtræktɪv/ adjective

Definition

Not pleasing or appealing to look at; not likely to interest or draw someone's attention.

Etymology

From prefix 'un-' (not) plus 'attractive,' which comes from Latin 'attractus' meaning 'drawn toward.' Beauty standards that define 'attractive' vary wildly across cultures and time periods.

Kelly Says

What's considered 'unattractive' changes so much between cultures and centuries that this word really just means 'not matching the current local beauty standard' — there's nothing objectively unattractive about anything!

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Female attractiveness is systematically valued as women's primary social asset, creating gendered pressure. This word disproportionately impacts women because appearance standards are enforced asymmetrically by gender.

Inclusive Usage

Use appearance-neutral descriptors or focus on relevant traits instead. Consider whether appearance commentary is necessary to the discussion at all.

Inclusive Alternatives

["unfamiliar aesthetic","visually unconventional","outside typical design parameters"]

Related Words

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