nasty

[ nas-tee ]
/ ˈnæs ti /

adjective, nas·ti·er, nas·ti·est.

noun, plural nas·ties.

Informal. a nasty person or thing.

Origin of nasty

1350–1400; Middle English < ?

OTHER WORDS FROM nasty

nas·ti·ly, adverb nas·ti·ness, noun

Words nearby nasty

Definition for nasty (2 of 2)

-nasty

a combining form with the meaning “nastic pressure,” of the kind or in the direction specified by the initial element: hyponasty.

Origin of -nasty

< Greek nast(ós) pressed close (see nastic) + -y3

Example sentences from the Web for nasty

British Dictionary definitions for nasty (1 of 2)

nasty
/ (ˈnɑːstɪ) /

adjective -tier or -tiest

unpleasant, offensive, or repugnant
(of an experience, condition, etc) unpleasant, dangerous, or painful a nasty wound
spiteful, abusive, or ill-natured
obscene or indecent
nasty piece of work British informal a cruel or mean person

noun plural -ties

an offensive or unpleasant person or thing a video nasty

Derived forms of nasty

nastily, adverb nastiness, noun

Word Origin for nasty

C14: origin obscure; probably related to Swedish dialect nasket and Dutch nestig dirty

British Dictionary definitions for nasty (2 of 2)

-nasty

n combining form

indicating a nastic movement to a certain stimulus nyctinasty

Derived forms of -nasty

-nastic, adj combining form

Word Origin for -nasty

from Greek nastos pressed down, close-pressed