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Definition of naughty

naughty

/ˈnɔː.ti/
naugh · ty
Adverb:naughtily
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naughty Lexical Profile

naughty Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Disobedient, badly behaved, or mischievous (typically used of children or pets).

Example

"The naughty puppy chewed up my favorite pair of running shoes."

2

Mildly indecent, humorously improper, or sexually suggestive.

Example

"They shared a few naughty jokes after the children went to bed."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for naughty

• Nearby Words

naught
naughtily
naughtiness
naughty
nauru
nauruan
nausea

Word Origin & Etymology

From late Middle English 'naughti', meaning 'having nothing' or 'needy', derived from 'naught' (nothing). The meaning shifted to 'morally bad' or 'wicked' in the 15th century before softening to refer to mild misbehavior, especially in children.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Naughty. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/naughty
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