Main Entry: nas·ty

Pronunciation: \ˈnas-tē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): nas·ti·er; nas·ti·est

Etymology: Middle English

Date: 14th century

1 a : disgustingly filthy b : physically repugnant
2 : indecent, obscene
3 : mean, tawdry
4 a : extremely hazardous or harmful <a nasty undertow> b : causing severe pain or suffering <a nasty wound> <a nasty fall> c : sharply unpleasant : disagreeable <nasty weather>
5 a : difficult to understand or deal with <a nasty problem> <a nasty curveball> b : psychologically unsettling : trying <a nasty fear that she was lost>
6 : lacking in courtesy or sportsmanship <a nasty trick>

synonyms see dirty

— nas·ti·ly \-tə-lē\ adverb

— nas·ti·ness \-tē-nəs\ noun

— nasty noun