Unpleasant or offensive (5) Crossword Clue
Answer: NASTY (5 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Unpleasant or offensive" with 5 letters is "NASTY".Nasty refers to something that is unpleasant, offensive, or highly disagreeable, often causing discomfort or distaste. It can describe behavior, smells, tastes, or situations that provoke negative reactions, such as a nasty attitude or a nasty smell that is hard to ignore.
Why "Nasty" Fits
The clue asks for a single word (5 letters) meaning "unpleasant or offensive." The answer, NASTY, fits perfectly:
- Unpleasant or offensive: Nasty means something that is disagreeable, distasteful, or likely to cause discomfort or offense—exactly matching the clue's definition.
- Direct match: With five letters, nasty fits the enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The word applies to situations, objects, remarks, or people that provoke a strong sense of dislike or aversion.
Nasty is a succinct, expressive adjective with a long history in English:
Origin and usage:
- The precise origin is uncertain, but nasty first appears in English in the 14th century, possibly derived from Dutch nestig (dirty) or related French terms meaning “foul” or “filthy.”
- The meaning later broadened to cover offensive, malicious, or spiteful behavior as well as unpleasant tastes, odors, or appearances.
Contemporary tone:
- Applies to things or people that are physically revolting (e.g., "a nasty smell"), socially unpleasant ("a nasty comment"), or morally offensive ("a nasty trick").
Examples:
- “That was a nasty thing to say.”
- “She stepped in a nasty puddle of mud.”
- “He’s got a nasty cold and should stay home.”
In quick crosswords like “Unpleasant or offensive (5),” clues often focus on vocabulary that covers a broad range of negative qualities:
Definition: The clue straightforwardly defines nasty, a common adjective for anything disagreeable.
Clue type: Direct synonym—easy, no trickery.
Solving approach:
- Consider short, negative adjectives like nasty, vile, gross, harsh, sour, but only nasty covers all types of offensive or unpleasant situations and fits the 5-letter enumeration.
Crossword pattern: Everyday descriptive words with vivid negative connotations, such as nasty, harsh, grim, mean, are commonly used for their broad applicability.
