noun
nettle
NEH-tuhl
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.”
noun
1
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."
verb
1
To irritate or annoy someone.
"Her offhand comment nettled him more than he expected."
How to use nettle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stinging weed, or (as a verb) to irritate someone mildly.
Common pairings
stinging nettle
nettle rash
nettled by the remark
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Word forms
- Plural
- nettles
- Third person singular
- nettles
- Past tense
- nettled
Fill the gap
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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."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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.
