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Examples

  • The French term jolie laide translates to "pretty ugly," and refers to the striking beauty found in what would conventionally be deemed unattractive.

    No Need to Gripe About Tripe Charlotte Druckman 2011

  • Everyone in the cast is outstanding, especially Katy Stephens, whose Rosalind is a sexy, no-nonsense jolie laide , and Forbes Masson, who plays the melancholy Jaques as a haunted wanderer with red-rimmed eyes and desperate mien.

    Where All the World's a Stage Terry Teachout 2011

  • Today, like the neighbours' snuffling pug, it has a certain jolie-laide appeal.

    Car review: Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid Martin Love 2010

  • The charming actress, who some have affectionately referred to as "jolie laide" ( "ugly beautiful") is consistently bashed for her looks by men.

    Leslie Goldman: Sex and the City: Body Image Edition 2010

  • Women shi yingguo dianshitai laide," We're from BBC television, we'd like to talk to some of the patients who were injured today. . ."

    THE PEOPLE'S ARMY AND THE PEOPLE philip j cunningham 2009

  • (Sometimes a jolie laide bag will take off while a lovely purse languishes.)

    Carried Away 2007

  • (Sometimes a jolie laide bag will take off while a lovely purse languishes.)

    Carried Away 2007

  • Gretchen Egolf, who plays Gilda, the object of the slightly scrambled affections of Leo (Robert Sella) and Otto (Tom Story), is a gawky, sparkling jolie laide who dominates every scene in which she appears.

    Clever Little ‘Coraline’ 2009

  • (Sometimes a jolie laide bag will take off while a lovely purse languishes.)

    Carried Away 2007

  • Women shi yingguo dianshitai laide," We're from BBC television, we'd like to talk to some of the patients who were injured today. . ."

    Archive 2009-06-03 philip j cunningham 2009

  • While not traditionally beautiful according to the Hollywood standards of yore, the American actress Brittany Murphy had "jolie laide" looks – big, brown eyes, a slightly disdainful mouth, a pointed chin, just-out-of-bed hair – which she used to great effect as she combined parts in ditzy comedies like Clueless and Just Married to meatier roles in the dark thrillers Girl, Interrupted and Don't Say A Word.

    Brittany Murphy: Actress whose versatility matched her 'jolie laide' The Independent 2009

  • Undoubtedly this has something to do with the fact that a true taste for the piquant seduction of a jolie laide depends on a sophisticated erotic palate that is comfortable with husky, androgynous undertones.

    The Unfairest of Them All (Published 2005) Daphne Merkin 2005

  • Such was the case recently when I was reminded of a French term I learned and thought I understood long ago: jolie laide. It technically translates to the clunky “pretty-ugly” but, in fact, is more about the elegance and maturity it takes to find beauty in the unique.

    ‘Jolie Laide’ and the Very French Art of Appreciating Imperfection 2025

  • While not traditionally beautiful according to the Hollywood standards of yore, the American actress Brittany Murphy had "jolie laide" looks – big, brown eyes, a slightly disdainful mouth, a pointed chin, just-out-of-bed hair – which she used to great effect as she combined parts in ditzy comedies like Clueless and Just Married to meatier roles in the dark thrillers Girl, Interrupted and Don't Say A Word.

    Brittany Murphy: Actress whose versatility matched her 'jolie laide' The Independent 2009

  • Undoubtedly this has something to do with the fact that a true taste for the piquant seduction of a jolie laide depends on a sophisticated erotic palate that is comfortable with husky, androgynous undertones.

    The Unfairest of Them All (Published 2005) Daphne Merkin 2005

  • Such was the case recently when I was reminded of a French term I learned and thought I understood long ago: jolie laide. It technically translates to the clunky “pretty-ugly” but, in fact, is more about the elegance and maturity it takes to find beauty in the unique.

    ‘Jolie Laide’ and the Very French Art of Appreciating Imperfection 2025

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