What is the Greek root word for ugly?

There isn't a single Greek root word for "ugly" in the same way we have for words like "beautiful" (kalos).

The Greek language has a rich vocabulary for describing appearances, but "ugly" often gets expressed through:

* Negation of beauty: Using words like "asχημος" (aschēmos) meaning "not beautiful," "shapeless," or "deformed."

* Connotations of unpleasantness: Words like "μοχθηρός" (mochthēros) meaning "wicked" or "vile," which can imply physical ugliness due to moral corruption.

* Descriptive terms: Words like "άχαρις" (acharis) meaning "ungraceful" or "unpleasant," or "άμορφος" (amorphos) meaning "shapeless," "formless," or "ugly."

So, while there's no direct equivalent for "ugly," Greeks used various ways to convey the idea of unattractiveness or unpleasant appearance depending on the context.