nasty

USAGE SUMMARY

'nasty' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something unpleasant, either physically or in terms of behavior. For example: "His nasty temper ruined the entire evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I couldn't get my head around why someone would go to the effort of looking someone up, and then sending them a nasty tweet.

The Guardian - Tech

I mean, humanity is just nasty and there's no silver lining".

The Guardian - Film

I don't like certain sorts of intrusive reporter and nasty columnist.

The Guardian - Opinion

They only need a history teacher to be nasty to them without realising that, if you shout at Matthew, it can all go wrong.

The Guardian

They had been called by the landlord of the property after other tenants raised concerns about a nasty smell coming from a room that used to be occupied by the factory worker.

The Guardian

People were quite nasty about you in the group.

The Guardian - Music

"The Information contains some amusing and nasty portrayals of LA SoCal nihilism.

The Guardian - Books

And a programme on the Northern Ireland hunger strikes that had a rather vivid contribution from Ian Paisley was mangled for fear of it projecting a nasty image of Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then the film flips back to the beginning and starts filling in the nasty bits it left out the first time round.

The Guardian - Film

1.40pm: There's nasty piece of YouTube posted by someone named by NHLiberty4Paul, ostensibly a pro-Ron Paul ad that mocks Jon Huntsman for his links with China, calling him a "Manchurian candidate" and specifically mentioning Huntsman's adopted daughters.

The Guardian

Filipe, courted by Barcelona in the summer but priced out of a move to the league champions by the Deportivo president Augusto César Lendoiro, gave the Galicians the lead in acrobatic style, but fell awkwardly and suffered a nasty twist to the ankle that left him in excruciating pain and will leave him sidelined for several months at least.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nasty" to vividly describe something that is not only unpleasant but also morally objectionable or physically offensive. This word is particularly effective in conveying a strong negative reaction or sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using "nasty" in formal or professional writing where a more neutral or sophisticated term might be more appropriate. Opt for words like "unpleasant", "offensive", or "disagreeable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nasty" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something unpleasant, offensive, or morally objectionable. Ludwig confirms this usage, showcasing its common application in various descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Sport

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Film

5%

Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nasty" functions primarily as an adjective to describe something unpleasant or offensive. Ludwig highlights its frequent use in news and media, as well as in sports and opinion pieces. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives in professional settings. Ludwig AI's assessment confirms that "nasty" is a correct and usable word, making it a versatile choice for expressing negative sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpleasant

A more general term for something not enjoyable or agreeable.

offensive

Implies causing someone to feel resentful or annoyed.

disagreeable

Suggests something is not to one's liking or taste.

vile

Indicates something extremely unpleasant or morally bad.

horrid

Describes something extremely unpleasant or dreadful.

awful

Used to describe something very bad or unpleasant.

repulsive

Suggests something is intensely disgusting or offensive.

obnoxious

Describes someone or something extremely unpleasant or offensive.

disgusting

Implies something causes a feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval.

unkind

Focuses on a lack of empathy or compassion in behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "nasty" in a sentence?

You can use "nasty" to describe something unpleasant or offensive, such as "That was a "nasty remark"" or "There was a "nasty smell" coming from the kitchen".

What's a less harsh alternative to "nasty"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "unpleasant", "disagreeable", or "offensive". Each carries a slightly different connotation but can soften the impact.

Is "nasty" appropriate for formal writing?

While "nasty" is a common word, it might be too informal or harsh for certain formal contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "unfavorable" or "undesirable".

What is the difference between "nasty" and "vicious"?

"Nasty" generally describes something unpleasant or offensive, while "vicious" implies cruelty or violence. A "nasty" comment might be rude, but a "vicious" attack is intentionally harmful.