Feios

Feios is the masculine plural form of the Portuguese adjective feio, meaning ugly or unattractive. It is used to describe people, objects, or scenes perceived as unattractive. The corresponding feminine plural is feias; singular forms are feio (masculine) and feia (feminine). In everyday language, feios can designate physical appearance but may also describe things such as landscapes, designs, or performances that are aesthetically displeasing. The term is common in informal speech, literature, and media, where it can be used descriptively or pejoratively, sometimes humorously.

Etymology: Feio derives from Latin foedus, "foul, ugly," via Vulgar Latin into Old Portuguese; related forms appear in other Romance languages, such as Spanish feo. The path from foedus to feio involves regular sound changes typical of the Iberian Romance languages.

Usage notes: As with many aesthetic judgments, the term carries subjective nuance and potential insult, especially when applied to people. In careful or formal contexts, more neutral terms may be preferred, or it may be qualified (e.g., "não muito atraente" or "desagradável"). The word also appears in toponyms or names in Portuguese-speaking regions in capitalized forms, though these uses are proper nouns and distinct from the adjective.