naughty
NAW-tee
Naughty (adj) means Badly behaved or mischievous, especially describing a child. Example: “The naughty puppy chewed up another shoe.”
adj
1
Badly behaved or mischievous, especially describing a child.
"The naughty puppy chewed up another shoe."
"Stop being naughty and eat your vegetables."
"The naughty toddler drew on the wall with a bright green crayon."
2
Mildly sexual or risqué in a playful, teasing way.
"He sent her a naughty text message."
"The comedian's naughty jokes made the audience blush."
How to use naughty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBehaving badly in a minor, often playful way, or cheekily suggestive.
When to use it
Usually light-hearted and affectionate, not a serious accusation of wrongdoing.
Common pairings
a naughty child
naughty behavior
feeling a bit naughty
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- naughties
- Past tense
- naughtied
- Comparative
- naughtier
- Superlative
- naughtiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ puppy chewed up another shoe.
Etymology
From Middle English naughty, built from naught ("nothing, wickedness") plus -y — originally meant "wicked" or "worthless" before softening to today's "mischievous" sense.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for naughty
See all rhymes for naughty →Frequently asked questions
What does “naughty” mean?
The word “naughty” means badly behaved or mischievous, especially describing a child. In plain terms, behaving badly in a minor, often playful way, or cheekily suggestive.
How do you pronounce “naughty”?
“Naughty” is pronounced NAW-tee (/ˈnɔti/ in IPA).
How do you use “naughty” in a sentence?
Here is “naughty” used in a sentence: “The naughty puppy chewed up another shoe.”
What part of speech is “naughty”?
“Naughty” is an adjective.
Where does the word “naughty” come from?
The word “naughty” comes from Middle English. From Middle English naughty, built from naught ("nothing, wickedness") plus -y — originally meant "wicked" or "worthless" before softening to today's "mischievous" sense.
Is “naughty” a common word?
“Naughty” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “naughty” have?
“Naughty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: badly behaved or mischievous, especially describing a child.
What is the difference between naughty and badly behaved?
Naughty typically describes mischievous or badly behaved conduct in a milder, often affectionate way, especially when talking about children. "Badly behaved" is a more neutral, general description that can apply to more serious misconduct without the playful undertone naughty often carries.
Is naughty a formal or informal word?
Naughty is an informal, everyday word rather than a formal one. It is common in casual speech, especially when talking to or about children, and in playful adult contexts.
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