ugly AmericanEnglishOxford New American Dictionaryugly American /ˈəɡlē əˈmerēkən, ˈəɡli əˈmɛrikən/ ▸ noun informal an American who behaves offensively when abroad: the phrases every ugly American needs to know [as modifier] I go into my ugly American routine of wolfing down a quick meal and promptly sacking out.