nettle
13 synonyms and 1 antonym for nettle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A plant covered in tiny stinging hairs that cause an itchy rash when touched.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A plant covered in tiny stinging hairs that cause an itchy rash when touched.
“He brushed against a nettle and his arm broke out in red bumps.”
How to use nettle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
stinging nettle
nettle rash
nettled by the remark
Etymology
From Old English netele, of Germanic origin, from the same root family as "net."
Full origin of nettle →Frequently asked questions
What does “nettle” mean?
The word “nettle” means a plant covered in tiny stinging hairs that cause an itchy rash when touched. In plain terms, a stinging weed, or (as a verb) to irritate someone mildly.
How do you pronounce “nettle”?
“Nettle” is pronounced NEH-tuhl (/ˈnɛtəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “nettle” in a sentence?
Here is “nettle” used in a sentence: “He brushed against a nettle and his arm broke out in red bumps.”
What part of speech is “nettle”?
Depending on how it is used, “nettle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “nettle” come from?
The word “nettle” comes from Old English. From Old English netele, of Germanic origin, from the same root family as "net.".
How many meanings does “nettle” have?
“Nettle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a plant covered in tiny stinging hairs that cause an itchy rash when touched.
