adj
nasty
NAH-stee
adj
1
Unpleasant, unkind, or spiteful, especially in how someone treats others.
"She said some really nasty things about her coworker behind her back."
"Don't be nasty to your brother just because you're in a bad mood."
2
Dirty or filthy.
"The bathroom in that gas station was absolutely nasty."
3
Serious or dangerous, especially of an injury, illness, or situation.
"He took a nasty fall off his bike and broke his wrist."
"That's a nasty cut — you should get it looked at."
How to Use Nasty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnpleasant in a strong way — could describe cruel behavior, something dirty, or something serious like an injury.
Common mistake
Context matters a lot: "a nasty person" is about cruelty, while "a nasty cut" or "a nasty fall" is about severity, not meanness.
Common pairings
nasty surprise
nasty fall
nasty comment
turn nasty
Word Forms
nastier comparative, nasties plural, nastiest superlative
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She said some really _____ things about her coworker behind her back.
Etymology
Traced back to Middle English "nasty," meaning filthy or unclean, though its deeper origin is uncertain — possibly linked to old North Germanic words for "dirty" or "soft."