nu
noun
the 13th letter of the Greek alphabet (Ν, ν).
nu
1 American
[noo, nyoo]
/ nu, nju /
noun
-
the 13th letter of the Greek alphabet (Ν, ν).
-
the consonant sound represented by this letter.
nu
2
American
[noo]
/ nu /
interjection
Nu
3
American
[noo]
/ nu /
noun
-
U Thauin Nu, 1907–1995, Burmese political leader: prime minister 1948–56, 1957–58, 1960–62.
-
Egyptian Religion Nun.
Nu
1
British
/ njuː /
noun
nu
2
British
/ njuː /
noun
nu
3
British
abbreviation
nu-
4
British
prefix
Etymology
Origin of nu1
1885–90; < Greek nû < Semitic; cf. nun 2
Origin of nu2
1890–95; < Yiddish; cognate with Old High German, Middle High German nū (adv. and conjunction), German nu (dial. and colloquial) well! well now! See now
Vocabulary lists containing nu
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
At the dawn of the new millennium, music critics prophesied that five young men living in New York City would cast the false gods of nu metal, rap-rock and boy bands out of heavy rotation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
It was this link between one-way genetic flow, patrilocality, and the non-reciprocity of exchange that led me, in Néandertal nu in 2022, to formulate the singular paradox: “Neanderthal, Sapiens: I love you… me neither.”
From Science Daily ● Jul. 7, 2026
Performed second-to-last, her powerful performance - essentially Lady Gaga fronting the nu metal band Evansecence - proved tantalising enough to take third place.
From BBC ● May 17, 2026
In the nu metal subgenre, they find an accessible mix of metal, hip-hop, funk and alternative rock; a flamboyant sense of style; and a gloomy-but-relatable subject matter.
From New York Times ● Jul. 25, 2023
The Igwe came over to shake Papa’s hand during Peace and Love, and he said, “Nno nu, I will stop by later, so we can greet properly.”
From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Rosales invited car clubs, including Nu Minis and local Volksstyle CC, to show off their rides, bringing attention to modified vehicles that aren’t lowriders.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
A 12-oz can of Celsius or Alani Nu contains 200 mg—a little less than two Red Bulls or five Diet Cokes, and about 50-80 mg more than each of my lattes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
We first meet her in her inner sanctum, her extremely girly bedroom in the depths of her extremely girly sorority, Delta Nu.
From Salon ● Jul. 6, 2026
Nu Metro trailed the film on its Instagram account a fortnight ago.
From BBC ● Jan. 29, 2026
“Two bedroom cape with add-on potential. Nu to market, builder’s special. Contemporary ranch with extras galore.”
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
Similar examples could be given of Moslem nu- merological practices.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
They are far too nu- Merous to mention.
From Tobogganing on Parnassus by Franklin P. (Franklin Pierce) Adams
The city whose lord is distressed,66 26. en-šú la-ba-ši-gur-ru suģ67-ám-bi nu- um- im me 26.
From Sumerian Liturgies and Psalms by Stephen Langdon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
