Jump to:

• nasty
  nasty

  adjective

  physically filthy; disgustingly unclean.
• -nasty
  -nasty

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

nasty

¹ American  

[nas-tee] / ˈnæs ti /

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

nasties plural

1. Informal. a nasty person or thing.

-nasty ² American  

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

   hyponasty.

---

nasty ¹ British  

/ 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 British  

combining form

1. indicating a nastic movement to a certain stimulus

   nyctinasty

---

Other Word Forms

• -nastic
  combining form
• nastily
  adverb
• nastiness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of nasty¹

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

Origin of -nasty²

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

Explanation

Something nasty is filthy, foul, dirty, or awful. Nasty isn't a word for anything nice. The main meaning of nasty is for things that are unpleasant and very gross. If someone throws up in class, at least one student will probably say, "That's nasty!" The smell of a bathroom is nasty. A song full of dirty words is nasty in a different way. Nasty can also mean "extremely." In football, a vicious hit can be called a nasty hit. A mean person is a nasty person too.

Example Sentences

The temptation to amuse the audience led him to betray his duty to appraise the work of aspiring artists who tremblingly dared present themselves before His Nasty Majesty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The lineup for the sixth edition, taking place in November in San Diego, includes Virginia Beach, Va., hip-hop heroes Clipse, beloved metal band Deafheaven, Rico Nasty, 2hollis and more.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025

One of the group turned around and announced, very solemnly: "Nasty Nick's gone."

From BBC • Jul. 25, 2025

“The Nasty Bits” A collection of essays and stories from his travels, organized by taste — sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami.

From Salon • Jun. 25, 2025

“They’re nothing like the loops we know. Nasty, nasty places.”

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

Related Words

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