nasty
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for nasty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Unpleasant, unkind, or spiteful, especially in how someone treats others.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use nasty
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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."
Full origin of nasty →Frequently asked questions
What does “nasty” mean?
The word “nasty” means unpleasant, unkind, or spiteful, especially in how someone treats others. In plain terms, unpleasant in a strong way — could describe cruel behavior, something dirty, or something serious like an injury.
How do you pronounce “nasty”?
“Nasty” is pronounced NAH-stee (/ˈnæs.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “nasty” in a sentence?
Here is “nasty” used in a sentence: “She said some really nasty things about her coworker behind her back.”
What is another word for “nasty”?
Words with a similar meaning to “nasty” include beastly.
What part of speech is “nasty”?
“Nasty” is an adjective.
Where does the word “nasty” come from?
The word “nasty” comes from Middle English. 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.".
Is “nasty” a common word?
“Nasty” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “nasty” have?
“Nasty” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unpleasant, unkind, or spiteful, especially in how someone treats others.
What is the difference between nasty and mean?
Both describe unkind behaviour, but nasty tends to stress spite and unpleasantness, while mean can also suggest cruelty or stinginess. Nasty additionally carries a separate sense meaning dirty or filthy, which mean does not.
Is nasty formal or informal?
Nasty is an informal, everyday word. In formal writing, alternatives such as unpleasant, spiteful, or offensive are usually preferred.
Can nasty describe things as well as people?
Yes. Nasty can describe an unkind or spiteful person or their behaviour, but it can also describe things that are dirty, filthy, or generally unpleasant, such as a nasty smell or a nasty wound.
What is the difference between nasty and dirty?
In its second sense, nasty overlaps with dirty, both meaning filthy, but nasty is stronger and more emotive, suggesting something repellent, whereas dirty is comparatively neutral.