What does nastiness mean?
Nastiness is a noun meaning unpleasantness that is deliberately unkind, spiteful, or offensive. It can describe a person's manner, words, or actions, as in a complaint about someone's nastiness, and it can also refer to an unpleasant episode or feature. The word is often stronger and more personal than “unpleasantness,” because it implies a degree of cruelty, rudeness, or meanness rather than simple inconvenience or dislike. In British and US English, it is used for interpersonal behaviour and for the unpleasant qualities of films, jokes, or situations. Although it can sound less formal than “viciousness” or “malevolence,” it is widely understood and remains useful for describing behaviour that is not merely unfortunate but actively disagreeable.
nounThe quality of being unpleasant, objectionable, or unkind. It can also refer to a particularly disagreeable or spiteful instance of behaviour.
- The quality of being nasty, especially unkind, spiteful, or morally objectionable.
- An unpleasant or disagreeable act, remark, or instance of behaviour.
"She responded to the criticism with considerable nastiness, making the discussion unnecessarily hostile."
"The film was praised for its humour, but its occasional nastiness made some viewers uncomfortable."
"There was no need for such nastiness in the exchange between the two colleagues."
The plural is formed by adding “-es” and is uncommon because “nastiness” is usually used in the singular or in uncountable constructions.
"The exchange was marked by several separate nastinesses."
Nastiness captures the particular kind of unpleasantness that comes from spite, cruelty, or a deliberately disagreeable attitude.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nastiness come from?
Nastiness was formed in English by adding the suffix “-ness” to the adjective “nasty,” a word whose older origins are uncertain. “Nasty” has been used in English since the Middle English period and has developed meanings ranging from foolish or ignorant to vile, unpleasant, or spiteful. The modern sense of deliberate unkindness became especially prominent during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Related word forms
How nastiness is actually used
The word is common in British and US English. It is usually more emotionally coloured than “unpleasantness” and often suggests deliberate unkindness, spite, or offensive behaviour.