Nerf

American

[nurf] / nɜrf /

Trademark.

a brand name for various toys modeled especially on sports equipment but made of foam rubber or other soft substances.

verb (used with object)

(lowercase) (in a video game) to reconfigure (an existing character or weapon), making it less powerful.

The game development team nerfed several guns in the recent update.

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.

While at Caltech, he was a teaching assistant and a member of the school’s Christian fellowship and the Nerf club, according to his LinkedIn profile.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

He was part of the Caltech Christian Fellowship and Nerf Club, according to his profile.

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

While children’s toys will remain an important part of its business, the maker of Play-Doh and Nerf plans to direct the majority of its investment toward older fans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

One of his neighbours told the network that the shooting unfolded as teenagers were playing with toy Nerf guns in the area.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2023

“Not Star Wars. Pluto!” answered Auggie, pointing his Nerf blaster at her.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023