Word
nastiest
Phoneticsnas·ti·est, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnæstiəst/
UK/nˈɑːstɪəst/
Definition
adj. most unpleasant, mean, or disgusting when you compare three or more people or things. You use it for the worst taste, smell, behaviour, or weather in a group.
adj. most unpleasant, offensive, or harmful when comparing three or more people or things. Covers senses from bad taste or smell to cruel behaviour or severe conditions.
Examples
“This is the nastiest cold I have all year.”
“The kitchen crew scrubs the nastiest grease behind the ovens every Friday night.”
“Among the tabloid headlines of that summer, his profile of the candidate remains the nastiest, blending half-truths with personal attacks that lingered long after the election.”
Examples
simple
“This is the nastiest cold I have all year.”
contextual
“The kitchen crew scrubs the nastiest grease behind the ovens every Friday night.”
complex
“Among the tabloid headlines of that summer, his profile of the candidate remains the nastiest, blending half-truths with personal attacks that lingered long after the election.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “nastiest” in context.
Verb
01. get nastiest
“The weather gets nastiest in November when storms arrive daily.”
verb + adj
02. nastiest in class
“He was nastiest in class, always teasing younger students.”
adj + prep + noun
03. nastiest in history
“Experts say this storm was nastiest in history for our region.”
adj + prep + noun
04. nastiest of all
“His reply was nastiest of all, and it really upset everyone.”
adj + prep + pronoun
Adjective
05. definitely nastiest
“Monday was definitely nastiest of the three days for rain and wind.”
adv + adj
06. easily nastiest
“That green curry was easily nastiest of the three dishes we ordered.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. nastiest comment
“That was the nastiest comment of all the posts online yesterday.”
adj + noun
08. nastiest person
“He was the nastiest person in our team last season.”
adj + noun
09. nastiest surprise
“We got the nastiest surprise of the trip when our room flooded.”
adj + noun
10. nastiest weather
“The island had the nastiest weather of the three places we visited.”
adj + noun
11. by far the nastiest one
“That episode was by far the nastiest one in the whole series.”
12. have the nastiest cold
“She had the nastiest cold of all the kids in the class.”
Usage
Superlative of 'nasty'; typically preceded by 'the' and used when comparing three or more items.
Pitfall
the most nastiest smell
the nastiest smell
The superlative form already expresses the highest degree and does not take 'most'.
Real-World Examples
“A month after pundits declared the current presidential contest the “meanest,” “nastiest,” “most poisonous,” and “dirtiest campaign in history,” those summer laments already seem like poignant reminders of a kinder, gentler time.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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