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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Origin: | Perhaps from a Scandinavian language |
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nas‧ty S2
comparative nastier, superlative nastiest
comparative nastier, superlative nastiest1 nasty behaviour or remarks are extremely unkind and unpleasant : a nasty temper the nasty things that were being written about her There's a nasty streak in her character.
behaviour
a nasty temperthe nasty things that were being written about herThere's a nasty streak in her character. get/turn nasty especially British English (=suddenly start behaving in a threatening way) When Harry refused, Don turned nasty and went for him with both fists.
When Harry refused, Don turned nasty and went for him with both fists.2 someone who is nasty behaves in an unkind and unpleasant way : I went to school with him - he was nasty then and he's nasty now.
person
I went to school with him - he was nasty then and he's nasty now.3 a nasty experience, feeling, or situation is unpleasant Life has a nasty habit of repeating itself. When you feel you've been cheated, it always leaves a nasty taste in the mouth (=makes you feel upset or angry afterwards).
experience/situation
Life has a nasty habit of repeating itself.When you feel you've been cheated, it always leaves a nasty taste in the mouth (=makes you feel upset or angry afterwards).4 having a bad appearance, smell, taste etc : What's that nasty smell?
sight/smell etc
CWhat's that nasty smell?5 severe or very painful : a nasty cut He was carried off the field with a nasty injury.
injury/illness
a nasty cutHe was carried off the field with a nasty injury.6 a nasty substance is dangerous : nasty chemicals
substance
nasty chemicals7 someone who is dishonest, violent, or likely to cause trouble
a nasty piece of work
British English —nastily adverb
—nastiness noun [uncountable]
➔ video nastyWORD FOCUS: unkind WORD FOCUS: unkind similar words: nasty, cruel, mean, inconsiderate, thoughtless, insensitive, unsympathetic, hard-hearted
➔ See also unkindWORD FOCUS: horrible
WORD FOCUS: horrible taste or smell: nasty, not very nice, revolting, disgusting, foul, unpleasant, gross informal
experience, situation, or feeling: nasty, not very nice, terrible, unpleasant
person: nasty, not very nice, obnoxious, mean American English, unpleasant, objectionable
➔ See also horrible
