Definition of nasty

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nas·ty    (nst) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:
nas·ti·er, nas·ti·est

1. 1. Disgustingly dirty.
   2. Physically repellent.
2. Morally offensive; indecent. See Synonyms at offensive.
3. Malicious; spiteful: "Will he say nasty things at my funeral?" (Ezra Pound).
4. Very unpleasant or annoying: nasty weather; a nasty trick.
5. Painful or dangerous; grave: a nasty accident.
6. Exasperatingly difficult to solve or handle: a nasty puzzle; a nasty problem.

NOUN:
pl. nas·ties

One that is nasty: "It is the business of museums to present us with nasties as well as with fine things" (Country Life).

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English nasti, possibly alteration of Old French nastre, bad, short for villenastre : vilein, bad ; see villain + -astre, pejorative suff. (from Latin -aster)

OTHER FORMS:
nasti·ly(Adverb), nasti·ness(Noun)