n.
Pronunciation: ' nas-t ē
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: nas · ti · er ; -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>
synonyms see DIRTY
– nas · ti · ly \ -t ə -l ē \ adverb
– nas · ti · ness \ -t ē -n ə s \ noun
– nasty noun