- The definition of nasty is something that is very dirty, unpleasant or offensive.
- An example of something nasty is the bottom of a dumpster.
- An example of something nasty is a person using bad words.
The contents of a trash container can get pretty nasty.
- very dirty, filthy
- offensive in taste or smell; nauseating
- morally offensive; indecent
- very unpleasant; objectionable: nasty weather
- mean; malicious; ill-humored: a nasty temper
- very harmful or troublesome: a nasty bruise
Origin of nastyMiddle English ; from uncertain or unknown; perhaps or akin to Dutch nestig, dirty
- a. Disgusting or repellent: a nasty odor rising from the garbage can. See Synonyms at offensive.b. Unpleasantly cold or wet: nasty weather.c. Archaic Dirty; filthy.
- Morally offensive or indecent: a nasty film.
- a. Unpleasant or annoying: a nasty habit.b. Mean or spiteful: Stop being nasty to each other.
- Painful or dangerous; grave: a nasty accident.
- Exasperatingly difficult to solve or handle: a nasty puzzle; a nasty problem.
Origin of nastyMiddle English nasti, filthy, possibly alteration of Old French nastre, bad, short for villenastre : vilein, bad; see villain + -astre, pejorative suff. (from Latin -aster).
Origin of -nastyGreek nastos, pressed down; see nastic + –y2.
(comparative nastier, superlative nastiest)
- (now chiefly US) Dirty, filthy. [from 14th c.]
- Contemptible, unpleasant (of a person). [from 15th c.]
- Objectionable, unpleasant (of a thing); repellant, offensive. [from 16th c.]
- Indecent or offensive; obscene, lewd. [from 17th c.]
- Spiteful, unkind. [from 19th c.]
- (chiefly UK) Awkward, difficult to navigate; dangerous. [from 19th c.]
- (chiefly UK) Grave or dangerous (of an accident, illness etc.). [from 19th c.]
- (slang, chiefly US) Formidable, terrific; wicked. [from 20th c.]
- (informal) Something nasty.
- Processed foods are full of aspartame and other nasties.
- This video game involves flying through a maze zapping various nasties.
- (euphemistic, preceded by "the") Sexual intercourse.