nettle

UK: /ˈnɛt^əl/ US: /ˈnɛtəl/ ,(net′l)

Inflections of 'nettle' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

nettles

v 3rd person singular

nettling

v pres p

nettled

v past

nettled

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

net•tle /ˈnɛtəl/   n., v., -tled, -tling. 
n. [countable]

1. Plant Biology a plant covered with stinging hairs.

v. [~ + object]

2. to irritate;
   annoy:
   nettled by the criticisms.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

net•tle  (net′l), n., v., -tled, -tling. 
n. 

1. Plant Biology any plant of the genus Urtica, covered with stinging hairs. Cf. nettle family. 
2. Plant Biology any of various allied or similar plants.
3. British Terms grasp the nettle, [Australian.] to undertake or tackle an unpleasant task.

v.t. 

4. to irritate, annoy, or provoke.
5. to sting as a nettle does.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English netele (noun, nominal); cognate with Dutch netel, German Nessel, Norwegian netla

net′tle•like′, adj. 
net′tler, n. 
net′tly, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

nettle / ˈnɛt^əl/ noun

1. any weedy plant of the temperate urticaceous genus Urtica, such as U. dioica (stinging nettle), having serrated leaves with stinging hairs and greenish flowers
2. any of various other urticaceous plants with stinging hairs or spines
3. any of various plants that resemble urticaceous nettles, such as the dead-nettle, hemp nettle, and horse nettle
4. grasp the nettle ⇒ to attempt or approach something with boldness and courage

verb (transitive)

1. to bother; irritate
2. to sting as a nettle does

Etymology: Old English netele; related to Old High German nazza (German Nessel)