EnglishMain Dictionary
nasty
Universal Words
adjective (nastier, nastiest)
1 very bad or unpleasant:
a nasty accident * The news gave me a nasty shock. * I had a nasty feeling that he would follow me. * He had a nasty moment when he thought he'd lost his passport. * This coffee has a nasty taste. * Don't buy that coat-it looks cheap and nasty.
2 unkind; unpleasant:
to make nasty remarks about sb * the nastier side of her character * to have a nasty temper * Don't be so nasty to your brother. * That was a nasty little trick. * Life has a nasty habit of repeating itself.
3 dangerous or serious:
a nasty bend (= dangerous for cars going fast) * He had a nasty look in his eye. * a nasty injury / cough
4 offensive; in bad taste:
to have a nasty mind * nasty jokes
seealsoVIDEONASTY
nastily adverb:
'I hate you,' she said nastily.
nastiness noun [U]
IDIOMS
to get / turn nasty
1 to become threatening and violent:
You'd better do what he says or he'll turn nasty. * After the game, things turned nasty and there were fights in the streets.
2 to become bad or unpleasant:
It looks as though the weather is going to turn nasty again.
a nasty piece of work (BrE, informal) a person who is unpleasant, unkind or dishonest:
Don't trust him; he's a nasty piece of work.
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