nail-biting

[neyl-bahy-ting]

noun

1. the act or practice of biting one's fingernails, especially as the result of anxiety or nervousness.

2. Informal.,  nervousness.

   The announcement that the trade agreement had been signed ended a week of nail-biting on Wall Street.

adjective

1. Informal.,  causing nervousness.

   The nail-biting part of the canoe trip was through the stretches of white water.

nail-biting

noun

1. the act or habit of biting one's fingernails

2. 1. anxiety or tension

   2. ( as modifier )

      nail-biting suspense

Other Word Forms

• nail-biter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nail-biting¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Related Words

• angst 
• apprehension 
• concern 
• disquiet 
• doubt 
• dread 
• jitters www.thesaurus.com
• misery 
• misgiving 
• mistrust 
• nervousness 
• panic 
• restlessness 
• suffering 
• suspense 
• trouble 
• uncertainty 
• unease 
• uneasiness www.thesaurus.com