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 Words From

• nail-biter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nail-biting¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

It was all the nail­ biting stuff of keeping up all night working.

From The Daily Beast

Another Sunday, another nail-biting episode of Breaking Bad.

From The Daily Beast

During the nail-biting 2008 Democratic presidential primary, Obama was in it to win it.

From The Daily Beast

There are moments of exultation and frustration, of nail-biting anxiety, and the normal banter that characterizes any workplace.

From The Daily Beast

A sports movie and a redemption story and a drug movie and a nail-biting tale of success!

From The Daily Beast

Certain other childish habits, such as nail-biting, have also been described as sexual manifestations.

From Project Gutenberg

Nail biting is an unsightly habit, one that may even hinder one's social acceptance.

From Project Gutenberg

When are nail-biting and dirt-eating seen, and how are they to be controlled?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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