nasty

¹

[nas-tee]

adjective

nastier, nastiest 

1. physically filthy; disgustingly unclean.

   a nasty pigsty of a room.

   Synonyms: grimy, foul, dirty
   Antonyms: unstained, spotless, immaculate, clean

2. offensive to taste or smell; nauseating.

   This ointment is really nasty—couldn't they make it smell less vile?

   Synonyms: ugly, catty, bitchy, malevolent, malicious, mean, repellent, repulsive, sickening

3. offensive; objectionable.

   a nasty habit.

4. vicious, spiteful, or unkind.

   a nasty dog;

   a nasty rumor.

5. bad or hard to deal with, encounter, undergo, etc.; dangerous; serious: a nasty accident.

   a nasty cut;

   a nasty accident.

6. very unpleasant or disagreeable.

   nasty weather.

   Synonyms: inclement, stormy

7. morally filthy; obscene; indecent.

   a nasty word.

   Synonyms: smutty

8. Slang.,  formidable: a young pitcher with a nasty slider.

   the raw, nasty power of this engine;

   a young pitcher with a nasty slider.

noun

plural

nasties 

1. Informal.,  a nasty person or thing.

-nasty

²

1. a combining form with the meaning “nastic pressure,” of the kind or in the direction specified by the initial element.

   hyponasty.

nasty

¹

/ ˈnɑːstɪ /

adjective

1. unpleasant, offensive, or repugnant

2. (of an experience, condition, etc) unpleasant, dangerous, or painful

   a nasty wound

3. spiteful, abusive, or ill-natured

4. obscene or indecent

5. informal,  a cruel or mean person

noun

1. an offensive or unpleasant person or thing

   a video nasty

-nasty

²

combining form

1. indicating a nastic movement to a certain stimulus

   nyctinasty

Other Word Forms

• nastily adverb
• nastiness noun
• -nastic combining form

Word History and Origins

Origin of nasty¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, further origin unknown

Origin of nasty²

< Greek nast ( ós ) pressed close ( nastic ) + -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of nasty¹

C14: origin obscure; probably related to Swedish dialect nasket and Dutch nestig dirty

Origin of nasty²

from Greek nastos pressed down, close-pressed

Example Sentences

The hangover from the last election was always going to be nasty after a proper thumping, 14 years in power, and, oh yes, those five prime ministers.

From BBC

"But Carvalho was a massive part of Chelsea's success. He was nasty as well. There is a theme with the players I picked. They were all clever and knew the little tricks."

From BBC

A smoke point is the point at which the fats in the oil start to break down and nasty compounds are released which can make the oil taste bitter, burnt or unpleasant.

From BBC

If agricultural or construction waste is used, it can include nasty chemicals from wood treatments and pesticides.

From Los Angeles Times

A sheriff said she had been "nasty, verbally abusive, cruel, vindictive, violent" towards her victims.

From BBC

Related Words

• awful 
• dirty 
• fierce 
• horrible 
• icky 
• murderous 
• noxious 
• obnoxious 
• ornery 
• outrageous 
• rough 
• tough 
• unpleasant 
• vile 
• vulgar