Nasty Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐คข
nasty
[หnรฆsti ]
Definitions
describing something unpleasant
Nasty is used to describe something that is unpleasant, dirty, or offensive. It can also refer to someone who is mean-spirited or unkind.
Synonyms
disgusting, mean, offensive, unkind, unpleasant.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| nasty |
Used to describe something that is very unpleasant or offensive. Often used for smells, remarks, or behavior.
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| unpleasant |
Used to describe something that is not enjoyable or causes discomfort. It can be used broadly for environments, tastes, or experiences.
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| disgusting |
Used to describe something that causes a strong feeling of dislike or nausea. Often used for food, smells, or actions that are morally repugnant.
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| offensive |
Used to describe something that causes someone to feel hurt, upset, or angry. Often used for comments or actions that are insensitive or rude.
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| mean |
Used to describe someone who is unkind or unfair to others. Often used about actions, remarks, or behavior.
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| unkind |
Used to describe behavior that lacks consideration or empathy for others. It implies a softer degree of negativity compared to 'mean' or 'nasty'.
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Examples of usage
- That food looks nasty, I wouldn't eat it.
- He made a nasty comment about her appearance.
- Don't be so nasty to your sister, it's not nice.
- The nasty smell coming from the garbage can was unbearable.
- The movie had a lot of nasty scenes that made me uncomfortable.
describing an action done in a mean or offensive way
When used as an adverb, nasty describes an action that is done in a mean or offensive way.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| nasty |
Used to describe something very unpleasant or offensive, often in regard to behavior, comments, or situations. It can refer to both physical and emotional unpleasantness.
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| meanly |
Used to describe actions or words that are intentionally hurtful or harmful. It focuses more on the intent behind the behavior rather than the result.
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| offensively |
Used to describe something that causes someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry. It often refers to behavior, language, or actions that are particularly disrespectful or inappropriate.
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| rudely |
Used to describe behavior or language that lacks manners or social etiquette. It is generally less severe than 'offensively', but still disrespectful or impolite.
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Examples of usage
- He spoke to her nastily, making her feel small.
- She looked at him nastily, as if he had done something wrong.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Negative words like 'nasty' can create strong emotional reactions, often evoking feelings of disgust or anger.
- Research shows that people perceive 'nasty' actions as more impactful than positive actions, highlighting the negativity bias in our thinking.
- Using nasty language can affect relationships, as it often leads to defensiveness and conflict rather than resolution.
Pop Culture
- 'Nasty' became a cultural catchphrase largely due to Janet Jacksonโs hit song 'Nasty,' released in 1986, which celebrated empowerment and assertiveness.
- The term has been used in various movies and TV shows to describe antagonistic characters, making it memorable in entertainment.
- In social media, describing something as 'nasty' can quickly trend, often linked to political commentary or viral moments.
Literature
- The term 'nasty' is often employed by authors to evoke distasteful imagery or behaviors in characters, enriching narratives.
- Classic literature frequently uses 'nasty' to illustrate moral decay or societal issues, reflecting the author's disdain for certain behaviors.
- Children's literature uses the term 'nasty' to teach lessons about kindness by contrasting mean actions with positive behavior.
Sociocultural Context
- The perception of what is considered 'nasty' can vary greatly across cultures, influenced by social norms and values.
- In modern discussions about social media and body positivity, calling something 'nasty' can also reflect deeper societal critiques regarding beauty standards.
- Historically, behaviors labeled as 'nasty' often reflect societal anxieties about cleanliness, manners, and morality.
Origin of 'nasty'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'nasty' comes from the Middle English term 'nastie,' which meant 'filthy' or 'foul.'
- It was first recorded in the early 16th century and possibly derives from the Old French word 'naste,' meaning 'nasty' or 'dirty.'
- During the 18th century, the term evolved to describe not just physical dirtiness, but also bad behavior.
The word 'nasty' originated from Middle English in the late 14th century, derived from Old French 'nastre' meaning dirty or filthy. Over time, its meaning evolved to include being mean or offensive. It has been used widely in English literature and everyday language to describe unpleasant or unkind things.