ˈnɑ:stɪ adj. (nastier, nastiest) 1 a
highly unpleasant (a nasty experience). b annoying;
objectionable (the
car has a nasty
habit of breaking down). 2
difficult to
negotiate;
dangerous,
serious (a nasty
fence; a nasty
question; a nasty illness). 3 (of a
person or animal) ill-natured, ill-tempered,
spiteful;
violent,
offensive (nasty to
his mother; turns nasty
when he's drunk). 4 (of
the weather)
foul,
wet,
stormy. 5 a disgustingly
dirty,
filthy. b
unpalatable;
disagreeable (nasty smell). c (of a wound)
septic. 6 a
obscene. b delighting in
obscenity. øa nasty bit (or piece) of
work colloq. an unpleasant or
contemptible person. a nasty
one 1 a
rebuff; a
snub. 2 an
awkward question. 3 a disabling blow etc. øønastily adv. nastiness n. [ME: orig. unkn.]