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nasty

adj. · n.
US //ˈnæsti// UK //nˈɑːsti// nasty
  1. 1 unpleasant or disgusting (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    very unpleasant to see, smell, or taste.

    physically repellent or highly offensive to the senses.

    Example

    There was a nasty smell coming from the old fridge in the garage.

    Example

    The hikers were forced to turn back after encountering a nasty stench emanating from the stagnant pools near the trail.
  2. 2 unkind or mean (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    behaving in an unkind, spiteful, or rude way towards others.

    behaving with malice or spite; intentionally unkind in interpersonal interactions.

    Example

    Don't be so nasty to your brother; he was only trying to help.

    Example

    The critic was known for his nasty reviews, often attacking the actors' personal lives rather than their performances.
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  1. 3 dangerous or severe (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    dangerous, painful, or serious, especially regarding an injury or weather.

    serious, severe, or dangerous in nature; frequently used to describe injuries, illnesses, or weather conditions.

    Example

    He had a nasty fall on the ice and had to go to the hospital.

    Example

    The pilot decided to divert the flight to avoid a nasty storm front developing over the channel.
  2. 4 difficult or tricky (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    difficult to deal with or solve.

    characterised by complexity or hidden dangers; difficult to navigate or resolve.

    Example

    That was a nasty question in the exam that caught everyone by surprise.

    Example

    The road has a nasty bend just after the bridge where many drivers lose control in the rain.
  3. 5 impressive or formidable (adj.)
    C1 Advanced American English Slang

    very good or impressive in a powerful way.

    formidable, highly skilled, or impressive; often used to describe a powerful technique or performance.

    Example

    The pitcher has a nasty curveball that is almost impossible to hit.

    Example

    The lead guitarist delivered a nasty solo that left the audience stunned by his technical proficiency.
  4. 6 something unpleasant (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Informal

    an unpleasant person or thing.

    an informal reference to a person or thing perceived as unpleasant or harmful.

    Example

    The horror movie was full of monsters and other nasties.

    Example

    The software update was designed to protect the operating system from various internet nasties like malware and spyware.

Origin

From Middle English nasty, nasti, naxty, naxte (“unclean, filthy”), whence also Early Modern English nasky (“nasty”), of obscure origin. Probably from earlier Middle English naskty, naskedy, from Middle English nasked (“dirty, messy”) + -y, ultimately of North Germanic origin (comparable to Danish nasket (“dirty, foul, unpleasant”), Swedish naskot (“dirty, filthy”), Swedish naskig, naskug (“nasty, dirty, messy”)), themselves all probably related to Proto-Germanic hnaskuz (“tender, soft”). Likely doublet of nesh and nosh. Cognate with Scots nastie, nestie (“dirty, filthy”). Alternative theories have also been proposed, which include: * From Low German nask (“nasty”) + -y. Middle Dutch nestich, nistich ("nasty, dirty, unpleasant" > Modern Dutch nestig (“dirty, filthy, unclean; lazy, cranky”)), perhaps ultimately connected to the Scandinavian word above, or related to nest (“nest”). * From Old French nastre (“lowly, strange”), shortened form of villenastre (“infamous, bad”), from vilein (“villain”) + -astre (pejorative suffix), from Latin -aster. * Other suggestions include Old High German naz (“wet”), hardening of English nesh(y) (“soft”), or alteration of English naughty. * Modern use of the word is sometimes attributed to the popular and often derogatory 19th century American political cartoons of Thomas Nast, but the word predates him.

Idioms2 entries

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