Meaning
Very unpleasant, or unkind to other people. It can also mean bad enough to worry about.
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Word origin
The origin is not settled, and the older dictionaries disagree.
- Origin
- uncertain
Other proposed origins
- Often traced to Old French nastre, a short form of villenastre meaning low-born or wretched. (Old French, nastre)
- Others take it from a Dutch or Low German word nestig meaning dirty, as a nest can be. (Dutch, nestig)
Examples
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Here nasty means very unpleasant.
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About people, nasty means unkind or cruel.
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A nasty cut is a bad one, not just an unpleasant one.
Where this fits
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nasty: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the English word "nasty" (Very unpleasant, or unkind to other people. It can also mean bad enough to worry about.): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is taught in chapter 22, lesson 7: nasty, stair, campaign and 7 more words.