Naughty — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈnȯ-tē/ naugh·ty

Meaning & Definition of Naughty

Naughty (adjective)

  1. guilty of disobedience or misbehavior
  2. vicious in moral character, wicked
  3. lacking in taste or propriety

Naughty (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior

    "told her to act her age and stop throwing temper tantrums like a naughty little girl"

    similar: bad, contrary, errant, froward, misbehaving, mischievous
    related: defiant, disrespectful, ill-mannered, ill-natured, impolite, improper, impudent, indecorous, insolent, rude, uncouth, unmannerly, disobedient, headstrong, intractable, obstreperous, recalcitrant, refractory, transgressing, unruly, untoward, willful, balky, restive, uncontrollable, ungovernable, wayward, wild, arch, elfish, impish, knavish, monkeying, monkeyish, ornery, pixieish, prankish, rascally, roguish, waggish, dissolute, perverse, wrongheaded, disorderly, rowdy, ruffianly, corrupt, evil, wicked, insurgent, mutinous, rebellious, disobliging, inconsiderate, selfish, thoughtless, unkind, unkindly, babyish, childish, immature, infantile, jejune, juvenile, kiddish, puerile
    opposite: behaved, behaving, nice, orderly
    near: acquiescent, compliant, complying, dutiful, obedient, submissive, clean, correct, decent, decorous, moral, proper, respectable, considerate, courteous, kindly, mannerly, polite, thoughtful, angelic, cherubic, divine, heavenly, amenable, docile, governable, tractable, amiable, complaisant, good-natured, obliging, pleasant, discreet, modest, adult, grown-up, mature

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Naughty

The most common words with a similar meaning to Naughty:

bad, contrary, errant, froward, misbehaving, mischievous

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Naughty

Words with the opposite meaning of Naughty:

behaved, behaving, nice, orderly

Related Words for Naughty

defiant, disrespectful, ill-mannered, ill-natured, impolite, improper, impudent, indecorous, insolent, rude, uncouth, unmannerly, disobedient, headstrong, intractable, obstreperous, recalcitrant, refractory, transgressing, unruly, untoward, willful, balky, restive, uncontrollable, ungovernable, wayward, wild, arch, elfish

Near Antonyms of Naughty

acquiescent, compliant, complying, dutiful, obedient, submissive, clean, correct, decent, decorous, moral, proper, respectable, considerate, courteous, kindly, mannerly, polite, thoughtful, angelic, cherubic, divine, heavenly, amenable, docile, governable, tractable, amiable, complaisant, good-natured

Word Forms of Naughty

Inflections: naughtier, naughtiest

Derived words: naughtily (adverb), naughtiness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Naughty

Middle English noughti, from nought

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Naughty

What does "Naughty" mean?

"Naughty" means guilty of disobedience or misbehavior. As an adjective, it is defined as: guilty of disobedience or misbehavior.

What is another word for "Naughty"?

Other words for "Naughty" include bad, contrary, errant, froward, misbehaving and mischievous. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Naughty" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Naughty"?

There are 72 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Naughty". Common alternatives include bad, contrary, errant, froward, misbehaving and mischievous.

What is the opposite of "Naughty"?

Antonyms of "Naughty" include behaved, behaving, nice and orderly. Near antonyms include acquiescent, compliant, complying and dutiful.

How do you use "Naughty" in a sentence?

Examples of "Naughty" in a sentence: "told her to act her age and stop throwing temper tantrums like a naughty little girl".

Is "Naughty" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Naughty" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Naughty"?

"Naughty" is pronounced /ˈnȯ-tē/ and divided into syllables as naugh·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Naughty"?

"Naughty" comes from Middle English noughti, from nought. First known use: 14th century.