In this work, we report on structural, optical, photocatalytic and nitrogen adsorption-desorption characteristics of WS2 nanosheets developed via a hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies have revealed a hexagonal crystal structure, whereas nanodimensional sheets are apparently observed in scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) micrographs. As compared to the bulk counterpart, the WS2 nanosheets exhibited a clear blue shift. Through Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, average surface area, pore volume and pore size of the NSs were calculated as 211.5 m2g-1, 0.433 cc g-1 and 3.8 nm, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the WS2 nanosheets was also examined with malachite green (MG) as the target dye under both UV and day light (visible) illumination conditions. Accordingly, a degradation efficiency as high as 67.4 and 86.6% were witnessed for an irradiation time duration of 60 min. The nano-WS2 systems have immense potential in optoelectronics, solid-lubrication and other next generation elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]