Word Frequency
nastily (ˈnɑːstɪlɪ)
Definitions
adverb
- in a way which is unpleasant, offensive, or repugnant
- (of an experience, condition, etc) in a way which is unpleasant, dangerous, or painful
- in a way which is spiteful, abusive, or ill-natured ⇒
`You could hardly call yourself a genius,' she said nastily.
⇒`You want it?' Nikko laughed nastily. `Then suppose you ask me for it nicely.'
⇒Gareth interrupted, though not nastily.
- obscenely or indecently
nasty (ˈnɑːstɪ
)
Definitions
adjective
-tier, -tiest- unpleasant, offensive, or repugnant
- (of an experience, condition, etc) unpleasant, dangerous, or painful ⇒
a nasty wound
- spiteful, abusive, or ill-natured
- obscene or indecent
noun
(plural) -ties- an offensive or unpleasant person or thing ⇒
a video nasty
Derived Forms
ˈnastily adverbˈnastiness noun
Word Origin
C14: origin obscure; probably related to Swedish dialect nasket and Dutch nestig dirtyExample Sentences Including 'nastily'
"He saw me shudder, and said nastily : `Oh, I realize you're a Radio Three man, and probably only watch the news and Mastermind on the box.Death in Purple Prose
) was nastily abusive about my `stinking rooms out with your tobacco fumes" & M. Karlin did her `You're talking rubbish "bit.The Kenneth Williams Diaries
Afterwards, the cat shot under a table and sat there snarling nastily at its Nightingale.Misc (1995)
How was the man involved with this new and nastily secret group?The Last Raven
If you didn't dislike him, you couldn't begin to think so nastily.A Question of Principle
That was a familiar sentiment in the locker room after Royal St. George's quirky links layout roared nastily yesterday.Ottawa Sun (2003)
The only surprise is that Tina Turner's people never sued over a happy tune being bastardised so nastily.Sun, News of the World (2001)
The yellow pith, which surrounds the seeds with a neat symmetry, should be discarded because it is nastily bitter.Country Life (2005)
Their attempt to ape Modernist style looks unconvincing and clashes nastily with the older buildings near by.Times, Sunday Times (2002)
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