# nasty

/ˈnæsti/ (US) · /nˈɑːsti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nasty
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. unpleasant or disgusting

adjective · CEFR B1

very unpleasant to see, smell, or taste.

For teachers: physically repellent or highly offensive to the senses.

- There was a nasty smell coming from the old fridge in the garage.
- The hikers were forced to turn back after encountering a nasty stench emanating from the stagnant pools near the trail.

### 2. unkind or mean

adjective · CEFR B1

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

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

- Don't be so nasty to your brother; he was only trying to help.
- The critic was known for his nasty reviews, often attacking the actors' personal lives rather than their performances.

### 3. dangerous or severe

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- He had a nasty fall on the ice and had to go to the hospital.
- The pilot decided to divert the flight to avoid a nasty storm front developing over the channel.

### 4. difficult or tricky

adjective · CEFR B2 · British English

difficult to deal with or solve.

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

- That was a nasty question in the exam that caught everyone by surprise.
- The road has a nasty bend just after the bridge where many drivers lose control in the rain.

### 5. impressive or formidable

adjective · CEFR C1 · American English · Slang

very good or impressive in a powerful way.

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

- The pitcher has a nasty curveball that is almost impossible to hit.
- The lead guitarist delivered a nasty solo that left the audience stunned by his technical proficiency.

### 6. something unpleasant

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal

an unpleasant person or thing.

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

- The horror movie was full of monsters and other nasties.
- The software update was designed to protect the operating system from various internet nasties like malware and spyware.

## Examples

- He has a nasty habit of biting his nails.
- She said some nasty things about him behind his back.
- Beneath the polite surface of their conversation lay a nasty undercurrent of professional jealousy and resentment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.