Pronunciation: [bˈiːstli] (IPA) 
The word "beastly" is spelled with four letters of consonants and three vowels. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /ˈbiːstli/. The first syllable is pronounced with a long "e" sound, followed by the "s" and "t" sounds, and finally, the "li" sound. The word can be used as an adjective to describe something that is unpleasant, cruel, or savage. It can also be used to describe something that is very difficult or challenging.
Beastly is an adjective that describes something savage, cruel, or inhumane in nature. It originated from the word "beast," which generally refers to an animal or creature, often associated with its wild, untamed, and instinct-driven behavior. When applied to something or someone, "beastly" suggests a similar demeanor or characteristic.
Most commonly, the term refers to actions or behaviors that are brutal, monstrous, or ruthless. It implies a quality of extreme ferocity, often associated with violence and aggression. Furthermore, when describing a person, "beastly" suggests a lack of civility, decorum, or human qualities. It connotes a cold-hearted or insensitive disposition that disregards the feelings or welfare of others.
In a broader sense, "beastly" may also refer to something that is very unpleasant, offensive, or repulsive, indicating a strong and negative emotional reaction. It can describe circumstances, such as unbearable odors, disgusting tastes, or unsightly appearances. It may also be used to express extreme dissatisfaction or annoyance with a situation or experience.
Overall, "beastly" characterizes actions, behaviors, or situations that display characteristics associated with wild and instinct-driven behavior, cruelty, lack of empathy, or extreme unpleasantness. This term serves to vividly emphasize the negative aspects of an entity or experience, highlighting its impact on human perception and emotional response.
Like a beast.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "beastly" has its origins in the Old English word "beastlic", which means "like a beast". The term is a combination of "beast", which ultimately comes from the Latin word "bestia" meaning "animal", and the suffix "-like" ("-ly" in modern English), which denotes resemblance or similarity. Over time, "beastly" evolved to describe actions or behaviors that are characteristic of animals, particularly in a negative or undesirable sense. It can also refer to something extremely unpleasant or disgusting.
