nailbiter
Britishnoun
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a person who bites his or her nails
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a person who is anxious or tense
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something that causes anxiety or tension
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.
The following season, the Bruins lost again in the Sweet 16, this time in a 78-69 nailbiter against Louisiana State.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
Kraken forward Ryan Donato admitted after this nailbiter of a game that it was indeed a test passed even if it required some late cramming.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 19, 2023
India won a nailbiter in Dhaka to beat Bangladesh and secure a 2-0 series win.
From BBC • Dec. 25, 2022
"Now, Kari, this seemed like a race you'd easily win, yet it's been a real nailbiter," says Heidi Gardner as Fox host Ainsley Earhardt.
From Salon • Nov. 13, 2022
We’re closer to Reagan-Mondale territory now than the likelihood of a nailbiter.
From The Guardian • Oct. 6, 2020
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.
