Main Entry: nas·ty
Pronunciation: \ˈnas-tē\
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): nas·ti·er; nas·ti·est
Etymology: Middle English
Date: 14th century
1 a : disgustingly filthy b : physically repugnant
2 : indecent, obscene
3 : mean, tawdry
4 a : extremely hazardous or harmful {a nasty undertow} b : causing severe pain or suffering {a nasty wound} {a nasty fall} c : sharply unpleasant : disagreeable {nasty weather}
5 a : difficult to understand or deal with {a nasty problem} {a nasty curveball} b : psychologically unsettling : trying {a nasty fear that she was lost}
6 : lacking in courtesy or sportsmanship {a nasty trick}
2 : indecent, obscene
3 : mean, tawdry
4 a : extremely hazardous or harmful {a nasty undertow} b : causing severe pain or suffering {a nasty wound} {a nasty fall} c : sharply unpleasant : disagreeable {nasty weather}
5 a : difficult to understand or deal with {a nasty problem} {a nasty curveball} b : psychologically unsettling : trying {a nasty fear that she was lost}
6 : lacking in courtesy or sportsmanship {a nasty trick}
synonyms see dirty
— nas·ti·ly \-tə-lē\ adverb
— nas·ti·ness \-tē-nəs\ noun
— nasty noun
