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• 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.

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noun

plural

nasties

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.

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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

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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

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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

Additionally, there are no nasty new taxes or rate hikes on the horizon that could kill the momentum.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

“You might,” Bianco said, prompting a nasty look from Porter and groans and boos from the studio audience.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

However, he was taken off 20 minutes after coming on against Chelsea following a clash of heads with Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez that left him with a nasty wound which required stitches.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

But rare events in the stock market have a nasty habit of recurring just when investors are convinced they won’t.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

“She’s a nasty so-and-so. I heard her parents talking to Miss Watson. They’re all mean.”

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

Related Words

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