naughty

Naughty means disobedient, mischievous, or generally misbehaving, particularly when applied to children.

Naughty is usually used in reference to misbehavior that’s minor or mischievous, as opposed to more serious disobedience. In this way, it’s also sometimes applied to pets.

Example: If you kids start to get naughty before bedtime, I’m going to take away your TV privileges. 

In a much different context, naughty is used to describe things that are sexually suggestive, as in naughty jokes, or things that pertain to sex, often in a way that’s hidden, forbidden, or secret. In this way, it is often used playfully or as a euphemism (a milder substitute of what is being referred to).

Example: Oh my God, have you two been doing naughty stuff in the supply shed?

The first records of the word naughty come from around the 1400s. It comes from the word naught, meaning “nothing.” Naught comes from Middle English word nāwiht, from the parts nā, meaning “no,” and wiht, meaning “thing” or “person.” The earliest recorded uses of naughty refer to having nothing—being poor. It then took on senses meaning “evil” or “immoral.” In the 1500s, it took on its sexual meaning—at first more literal and later more ironic or euphemistic. It wasn’t until the 1600s or after that it was popularly used to describe misbehaving children.

Children called naughty are often those who don’t listen to a thing you say and don’t do anything you tell them to do. But the word implies that such behavior isn’t all that serious, and perhaps could even be considered cute (depending on who has to clean up the mess made by the naughty children). Pets who misbehave in this way can also be called naughty, as in Mr. Fluffles, you naughty kitty, why must you knock all my things off the shelf? The word can also be applied to adults in a humorous or ironic way, such as to describe someone cheating on their diet or sneaking food into a movie theater.

When naughty is used in a sexual way, it’s usually meant to be a bit cheeky or playful, often likening sexual activity to behavior that breaks the rules somehow. It’s commonly applied to things that are sexually suggestive or sexually explicit, as in You just watch that movie for the naughty parts. In this sense, a close synonym of the word is dirty. But it can also be used as a playful euphemism to refer to sexual activity, as in Your honeymoon is supposed to be spent being naughty!

What are some other forms of naughty?

• naughtier (comparative adjective)
• naughtiest (superlative adjective)
• naughtily (adverb)
• naughtiness (noun)

What are some synonyms for naughty?

• disobedient
• mischievous
• dirty
• bawdy
• ribald

What are some words that share a root or word element with naughty? 

• naught

What are some words that often get used in discussing naughty?

• misbehavior
• disobedience
• child
• boy
• girl
• sex
• suggestive
• kinky
• erotic
• lewd
• obscene

The word naughty is used in modern conversation to refer to misbehaving children and pets. It is often used with a less serious and more playful tone.

Do parents still send their children to their grandparents for being naughty? I think I am ready to ship my kids to mum for a few years…upto 2030 or so.

— Coonde Ca Minyengwe 🐍 (@hopemkunte) April 16, 2020

Before I had cats, if I heard some noise in another room I'd get ready to defend myself from a masked intruder, now I just throw my head back and screech, "JERRY! STOP BEING NAUGHTY!!!!" at the top of my lungs, which is followed by the pitter patter of naughty cat paws

— beach read? lady, i'm tolstoy 🐿🐝🖖 (@FirstTimeTrek) February 11, 2020

We were a bit naughty this year🙈🎅🏼♥️ pic.twitter.com/pHg1QuMTdW

— 𝓀𝒶𝓇𝑒𝓃❀ (@kaarreenxo) December 26, 2019

Which of the following terms would NOT be used to describe a child considered naughty?

A. mischievous
B. out of control
C. obedient
D. misbehaving