B2adjective informal 2K

Nasty

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈnɑːsti/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈnæsti/"]/

Meaning of Nasty

very bad or unpleasant

In simple words: Very unpleasant or disgusting.

Nasty in a sentence

• She made a nasty comment that upset everyone in the room.
• The weather turned nasty with heavy rain and strong winds.
• He suffered a nasty cut on his hand while cooking.
• They had a nasty argument that ended their friendship.
• The food left out overnight developed a nasty smell.
• She was known for her nasty temper and harsh words.
• The computer virus caused some nasty problems with the system.
• He received a nasty injury during the football match.

How to use Nasty

Use 'nasty' to describe something that is offensive or unpleasant. It's common in everyday conversation but may be considered rude in more formal situations.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Nasty sounds like 'nasty' behavior — imagine a child being mean and messy.

Related words

Collocations with Nasty

• be
• look
• smell
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• about
• to
• cheap and nasty
• nasty little
• be
• look
• smell
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• about
• to
• cheap and nasty
• nasty little
• be
• look
• smell
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• about
• to
• cheap and nasty
• nasty little
• be
• look
• smell
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• about
• to
• cheap and nasty
• nasty little

Synonyms for Nasty

• mean

Opposites of Nasty

• pleasant
• nice
• agreeable

Common mistakes with Nasty

• 'Nasty' is often confused with 'mean' — 'mean' refers to behavior, 'nasty' refers to unpleasantness.
• Using 'nasty' in overly formal contexts sounds inappropriate.
• Learners sometimes use 'nasty' as a synonym for 'bad' — it's more specific than that.

Frequently asked questions about Nasty

What does Nasty mean?

Very unpleasant or disgusting.

What is the definition of Nasty?

very bad or unpleasant

How do you use Nasty in a sentence?

She made a nasty comment that upset everyone in the room.

Can you give another example of Nasty?

The weather turned nasty with heavy rain and strong winds.

What are synonyms for Nasty?

Common alternatives include mean.

What is the opposite of Nasty?

Opposite meanings include pleasant, nice, agreeable.

What words go with Nasty?

It commonly pairs with be, look, smell, extremely, fairly, very, about, to, cheap and nasty, nasty little, be, look, smell, extremely, fairly, very, about, to, cheap and nasty, nasty little, be, look, smell, extremely, fairly, very, about, to, cheap and nasty, nasty little, be, look, smell, extremely, fairly, very, about, to, cheap and nasty, nasty little.

What are common mistakes when using Nasty?

'Nasty' is often confused with 'mean' — 'mean' refers to behavior, 'nasty' refers to unpleasantness. Using 'nasty' in overly formal contexts sounds inappropriate. Learners sometimes use 'nasty' as a synonym for 'bad' — it's more specific than that.

How do you pronounce Nasty?

US: /["/ˈnæsti/"]/, UK: /["/ˈnɑːsti/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

Is Nasty formal or informal?

"Nasty" is informal, so it fits casual conversation with friends and family.

When should I use Nasty?

Use 'nasty' to describe something that is offensive or unpleasant. It's common in everyday conversation but may be considered rude in more formal situations.

What CEFR level is Nasty?

"Nasty" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.