naughty

[naw-tee]

adjective

naughtier, naughtiest 

1. disobedient; mischievous (used especially in speaking to or about children).

   Weren't we naughty not to eat our spinach?

   Synonyms: wayward, willful

2. improper, tasteless, indecorous, or indecent.

   a naughty word.

3. Obsolete.,  wicked; evil.

naughty

/ ˈnɔːtɪ /

adjective

1. (esp of children or their behaviour) mischievous or disobedient; bad

2. mildly indecent; titillating

noun

1. slang,  an act of sexual intercourse

Other Word Forms

• naughtily adverb
• naughtiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of naughty¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; naught + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of naughty¹

C14 (originally: needy, of poor quality): from _naught

Example Sentences

The naughty fur ball might even write back, for all Penelope knew.

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Kelly: Were you a bit of a naughty kid, maybe?

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But the panel believed the girl, who said she told him early on in their conversations and he replied saying "well it makes it even naughtier then".

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They call out answers loudly, write on the board, sing songs and there are even a few naughty kids messing around at the back of the class.

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Earlier in the trial, the court heard Windsor had sent a note calling Ms Klass a "naughty vixen".

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Related Words

• headstrong 
• impish 
• mischievous 
• playful 
• rowdy 
• wicked 

When To Use

What does naughty mean?

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?