naughty

adjective

naugh·​ty ˈnȯ-tē How to pronounce naughty (audio) ˈnä- How to pronounce naughty (audio)
naughtier; naughtiest
Synonyms of naughty
1
a
: guilty of disobedience or misbehavior
a naughty child
b
archaic : vicious in moral character : wicked
2
: lacking in taste or propriety
No naughty jokes in front of the children, please!
naughtily
ˈnȯ-tə-lē How to pronounce naughty (audio)
ˈnä-
adverb
naughtiness
ˈnȯ-tē-nəs How to pronounce naughty (audio)
ˈnä-
noun

Synonyms of naughty

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Examples of naughty in a Sentence

She gave him a naughty smile. told her to act her age and stop throwing temper tantrums like a naughty little girl
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The home needed to display her naughty sense of humor too. — Julie Vadnal, Architectural Digest, 18 Mar. 2026 Has Fern eaten or chewed on anything naughty? — Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026 Paltrow has been savvy at selling herself as naughty and nice. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026 His tics are not naughty mischief, but an uncontrollable action. — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for naughty

Word History

Etymology

Middle English noughti, from nought

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of naughty was in the 14th century

Rhymes for naughty

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Browse Nearby Words

naughts-and-crosses
naughty
naughty pack
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Naughty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naughty. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

naughty

adjective
naugh·​ty ˈnȯt-ē How to pronounce naughty (audio)
ˈnät-
naughtier; naughtiest
: behaving badly or improperly
naughtily
ˈnȯt-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce naughty (audio)
ˈnät-
adverb
naughtiness
ˈnȯt-ē-nəs How to pronounce naughty (audio)
ˈnät-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on naughty

Nglish: Translation of naughty for Spanish Speakers

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