jolie laide

French

Etymology

Literally, “pretty [and] ugly”, or more loosely translated as “with unusual, flawed or quirky good looks”.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ʒɔ.li lɛd/

Adjective

jolie laide (invariable)

  1. (idiomatic) unconventionally attractive

Noun

jolie laide f (plural jolies laides)

  1. A woman who is unconventionally attractive.
    • (Can we date this quote?), Anatole France, “M. Octave Feuillet”, in La vie littéraire‎:
      Il ne voudrait jamais quitter les deux flèches de Sainte-Croix, ni sa petite ville noire, boiteuse, bossue, bâtie de travers, mais entourée d’herbe tendre et d’eau pure, baignée d’un ciel doux et qui, comme toutes les villes normandes, est une jolie laide.
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)
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