nervous
Americanadjective
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highly excitable; unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive.
to become nervous under stress.
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of or relating to the nerves.
nervous tension.
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affecting the nerves.
nervous diseases.
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experiencing, characterized by, or originating in a nervous system disorder.
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characterized by or attended with acute uneasiness or apprehension.
a nervous moment for us all.
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having or containing nerves.
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sinewy or strong.
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Archaic. vigorous or spirited.
adjective
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very excitable or sensitive; highly strung
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(often foll by of) apprehensive or worried
I'm nervous of traffic
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of, relating to, or containing nerves; neural
nervous tissue
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affecting the nerves or nervous tissue
a nervous disease
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archaic active, vigorous, or forceful
Other Word Forms
- nervously adverb
- nervousness noun
- nonnervous adjective
- nonnervously adverb
- overnervous adjective
- overnervously adverb
- seminervous adjective
- seminervously adverb
- unnervous adjective
- unnervously adverb
Etymology
Origin of nervous
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin nervōsus “sinewy,” equivalent to nerv(us) nerve + -ōsus -ous
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.
These are nervous times unless, as suggested here, you invest in inflation-protected Treasury bonds, or TIPS, which give you some cushion against the risks of inflation.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026
The confession sucks the air out of the room, leaving just enough for some nervous laughter.
From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026
The wave was boosted by Costco, one of the country’s largest retailers, which filed a lawsuit that propelled some other nervous importers to join it even before the high court ruled.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
Researchers note that it is still unclear whether the offspring in this study will experience central nervous system issues.
From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026
Regan was the only one who didn’t look nervous, but I’d been her partner long enough now to know that was a very convincing front and her insides were just as knotted as my own.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
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.
