nettle
Nettle (noun) means a plant covered in tiny stinging hairs that cause an itchy rash when touched. Example: “He brushed against a nettle and his arm broke out in red bumps.”
How to use nettle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stinging weed, or (as a verb) to irritate someone mildly.
Word forms
nettled past tense, nettles plural, nettles singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He brushed against a _____ and his arm broke out in red bumps.
Etymology
From Old English netele, of Germanic origin, from the same root family as "net."
Related words
Rhymes for nettle
See all rhymes for 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.