nail-biting
Americannoun
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the act or practice of biting one's fingernails, especially as the result of anxiety or nervousness.
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Informal. nervousness.
The announcement that the trade agreement had been signed ended a week of nail-biting on Wall Street.
adjective
noun
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the act or habit of biting one's fingernails
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anxiety or tension
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( as modifier )
nail-biting suspense
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of nail-biting
First recorded in 1890–95
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.
It may be true that they’d prefer seven nail-biting, ratings-gobbling games of Dodgers vs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
The following week, Canada held them to a draw in Exeter while a nail-biting 26-19 win over New Zealand at Twickenham was secured with the clock in the red.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
The winner of this year's Fat Bear Week has been crowned after a nail-biting final -- and it's the son of a former champion.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
Canada, who had lost their 13 previous meetings with the Red Roses on English soil, held England to a 26-26 draw in a nail-biting, physical battle at Exeter's Sandy Park.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
After the war ended, Elizebeth’s work offered no more moments of nail-biting suspense, just endless tedium.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
