Meaning & Definition of word "Nasty"

Nasty

/ˈnæsti/

adjective:

  • 1. Extremely unpleasant or disgusting.
    • Example: The food had a nasty smell that made everyone in the room gag.
  • 2. Behaving in an unkind or malicious way.
    • Example: She made a nasty comment about his appearance.
  • 3. Severe or harmful.
    • Example: He suffered a nasty injury during the game.
  • 4. Obscene or vulgar.
    • Example: The comedian's jokes were filled with nasty language.
  • 5. Difficult to deal with.
    • Example: The weather turned nasty, forcing us to cancel the picnic.

Etymology

From Middle English 'nasty' meaning 'foul, filthy', possibly a derivative of 'naste', which means 'to stink'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

nasty surprise:

An unpleasant shock or unexpected event.

nasty business:

A difficult or troublesome situation.

nasty piece of work:

A person who is mean or malicious.

Related Words

nastiness:

The quality of being unpleasant or offensive.

nastily:

In a nasty manner.

Slang Meanings of nasty

Meaning: Nasty can refer to something extremely good or impressive, often used in a positive context.

Example Sentence: That performance was nasty!

Meaning: Nasty can mean something that is dirty or grimy in a flirtatious context.

Example Sentence: That outfit is giving me nasty vibes.