nasty

The word "nasty" describes something very unpleasant, offensive, dirty, cruel, or harmful. It is stronger than simply saying something is "bad." When people use it, they usually mean that something causes a strong negative reaction. For example, "The weather was nasty" suggests weather that was rough, cold, wet, or generally miserable. "He made a nasty comment" suggests words that were intentionally hurtful or rude.

"Nasty" is used in several common ways. It can describe illnesses and injuries, such as a nasty cough, a nasty virus, or a nasty cut. In these cases, it often means serious, painful, or difficult to recover from. It can also describe something disgusting, like a nasty smell, a nasty taste, or a nasty mess. Here the idea is that something feels dirty, foul, or hard to tolerate.

It is also very common for behavior and personality. A nasty person may be cruel, spiteful, or rude. A nasty remark, a nasty look, or a nasty argument usually involves anger, meanness, or a wish to hurt someone. In this sense, the word often carries the idea of emotional harm as well as simple unpleasantness.

Sometimes "nasty" is used more loosely for anything especially unpleasant or difficult. People talk about nasty weather, a nasty shock, a nasty surprise, or a nasty fall. In these examples, the word does not always mean cruelty or dirtiness. Instead, it means severe, upsetting, or unpleasant in a strong way.

The exact meaning depends on the context, but the general feeling stays much the same: something nasty is not just bad, but bad in a sharp, ugly, dirty, hurtful, or dangerous way. That range is what makes the word so useful in everyday English.