nasty applies to what is actually foul or is repugnant to one expecting freshness, cleanliness, or sweetness.

NASTY definition: 1. bad or very unpleasant: 2. unkind: 3. dangerous or violent: . Learn more.

a. Unpleasant or annoying: a nasty habit. b. Mean or spiteful: Stop being nasty to each other. 4. Painful or dangerous; grave: a nasty accident. 5. Exasperatingly difficult to solve or handle: a nasty puzzle; …

very bad or unpleasant. He had a nasty accident. The news gave me a nasty shock. I got a nasty surprise when I opened the door and saw who was there. I had a nasty feeling that he would follow …

If you describe a person or their behaviour as nasty, you mean that they behave in an unkind and unpleasant way. What nasty little snobs you all are. The guards looked really nasty. She is so nasty …

Factsheet What does the adjective nasty mean? There are 11 meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective nasty. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Troublesome; annoying; difficult to deal with, or threatening trouble; of a kind to be avoided: as, a nasty customer to deal with; a nasty cut or fall. Ill-natured; mean; dishonorable; hateful: as, a nasty …