- pronunciation:
- naw
ti
- features:
- Word History
part of speech: |
adjective |
inflections: |
naughtier, naughtiest |
definition: |
If someone is naughty, they break rules or behave in a bad way just for fun. Usually the word "naughty" is used for the behavior of small children when they do something bad. It is not usually used for very serious things.
The naughty child hid his little brother's favorite toy.Teasing the cat was a naughty thing to do.- synonyms:
- bad, mischievous, wicked
|
derivations: |
naughtily (adv.), naughtiness (n.) |
Naughty comes from an early English word that meant "having naught (nothing)," "needy," or "evil." By 1600, "naughty" was no longer a strong enough word to describe an evil person. Around this time, the word was being used for behavior that was disobedient, or for things of poor quality, such as "naughty apples."