Added 9 October 2026

nettle

/ˈnɛtəl/ noun

In Latin: urtīca Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about nettle at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Any plant whose foliage is covered with stinging, mildly poisonous hairs, causing an instant rash. Especially, most species of herb genus Urtica, stinging nettles: Most, but not all, subspecies of Urtica dioica (common nettle), Urtica incisa (Australian nettle); wood nettle (Laportea canadensis); bull nettles and spurge nettles (Cnidoscolus spp.): bull nettle, spurge nettle (Cnidoscolus stimulosus) Texas bull nettle (Cnidoscolus texanus), bull nettle (Cnidoscolus urens), nettle trees or tree nettles: Various species of the genus Dendrocnide: small-leaved nettle (Dendrocnide photinophylla). scratchbush (Urera baccifera) tree nettle (Urtica ferox); rock nettles (Eucnide spp.);
Especially, most species of herb genus Urtica, stinging nettles: Most, but not all, subspecies of Urtica dioica (common nettle), Urtica incisa (Australian nettle);
Most, but not all, subspecies of Urtica dioica (common nettle),

Of the nettle plant and similar physical causes, to sting, causing a rash in someone.
The children were badly nettled after playing in the field.
To pique, irritate, vex or provoke.

From Middle English netle, netel, from Old English netle, netele, netel, from Proto-West Germanic *natilā (cognate with Old Saxon netila, Middle Dutch netele (modern Dutch netel), German Nessel, Middle Danish nædlæ (“nettle”)), a diminutive of Proto-Germanic *natǭ (of unknown origin, perhaps from the same source as net).