adj · adv · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈbiːstli/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -iːstli
CMU ARPABET:B IY1 S T L IY2
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of, a beast.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Similar to the nature of a beast; contrary to the nature and dignity of human beings.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK
Examples
beastly culture
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: brutal, filthy
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Abominable; very unpleasant; hideous.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, dated
Examples
beastly weather
Stop being so beastly to her!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Of computer hardware or motor vehicles etc.: ostentatiously powerful.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, slang
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adv
Meaning 5
Like a beast; brutishly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adv
Meaning 6
Very much; terribly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, colloquial, dated
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adjective satellite
Meaning 7
resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
beastly desires
a bestial nature
brute force
a dull and brutish man
bestial treatment of prisoners
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: bestial, brute(a), brutish, brutal
Antonyms: none provided
8
adjective satellite
Meaning 8
very unpleasant
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
hellish weather
stop that god-awful racket
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hellish, god-awful
Antonyms: none provided
9
adverb
Meaning 9
in a beastly manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
she behaved beastly toward her mother-in-law
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Middle English bestely, bestly, equivalent to beast + -ly. Compare West Frisian bistachtich (“beastly”), Dutch beestachtig (“beastly”), German biestig (“beastly”).
Across languages
Translations
27 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bengali:
পাশবিক
(paśbik)
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Bengali:
হায়ওয়ানী
(haẏōẇani)
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Bulgarian:
животински
(životinski)
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Bulgarian:
зверски
(zverski)
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Bulgarian:
скотски
(skotski)
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Catalan:
bestial
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Catalan:
animal
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Ancient Greek:
κτηνώδης
(ktēnṓdēs)
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Middle English:
bestial
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Middle English:
beestly
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Polish:
zwierzęcy
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Russian:
живо́тный
(živótnyj)
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Russian:
звери́ный
(zverínyj)
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Scottish Gaelic:
brùideil
— pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of a beast
Bengali:
পাশবিক
(paśbik)
— characterizing the nature of a beast; brutal; filthy
Bengali:
হায়ওয়ানী
(haẏōẇani)
— characterizing the nature of a beast; brutal; filthy
Bulgarian:
зверски
(zverski)
— characterizing the nature of a beast; brutal; filthy
German:
garstig
— characterizing the nature of a beast; brutal; filthy
Ancient Greek:
κτηνώδης
(ktēnṓdēs)
— characterizing the nature of a beast; brutal; filthy
Middle English:
bestial
— characterizing the nature of a beast; brutal; filthy
Middle English:
beestly
— characterizing the nature of a beast; brutal; filthy
Polish:
bestialski
— characterizing the nature of a beast; brutal; filthy
Russian:
зверский
(zverskij)
— characterizing the nature of a beast; brutal; filthy
Scottish Gaelic:
brùideil
— characterizing the nature of a beast; brutal; filthy
