nas ‧ ty S2 /ˈnɑːsti $ ˈnæsti/ BrE AmE adjective ( comparative nastier , superlative nastiest )
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: Perhaps from a Scandinavian language ]
1 . BEHAVIOUR nasty behaviour or remarks are extremely unkind and unpleasant:
a nasty temper
the nasty things that were being written about her
There’s a nasty streak in her character.
Drivers often have a nasty habit of driving too close to cyclists.
nasty to
Don’t be so nasty to your mum (=do not treat her unkindly) .
get/turn nasty especially British English (=suddenly start behaving in a threatening way)
When Harry refused, Don turned nasty and went for him with both fists.
2 . PERSON someone who is nasty behaves in an unkind and unpleasant way:
I went to school with him – he was nasty then and he’s nasty now.
You’re a nasty little brute!
3 . EXPERIENCE/SITUATION a nasty experience, feeling, or situation is unpleasant
nasty shock/surprise
It gave me a nasty shock.
nasty feeling/suspicion
I had a nasty feeling that a tragedy was going to happen.
Life has a nasty habit of repeating itself.
He had a nasty accident while riding in the forest.
When you feel you’ve been cheated, it always leaves a nasty taste in the mouth (=makes you feel upset or angry afterwards) .
The weather turned nasty towards the evening.
4 . SIGHT/SMELL ETC having a bad appearance, smell, taste etc:
What’s that nasty smell?
a market stall selling cheap and nasty watches
5 . INJURY/ILLNESS severe or very painful:
a nasty cut
He was carried off the field with a nasty injury.
6 . SUBSTANCE a nasty substance is dangerous:
nasty chemicals
7 . a nasty piece of work British English someone who is dishonest, violent, or likely to cause trouble
—nastily adverb
—nastiness noun [uncountable]
⇨ ↑ video nasty