nerve
Americannoun
-
nerves
plural
-
one or more bundles of fibers forming part of a system that conveys impulses of sensation, motion, etc., between the brain or spinal cord and other parts of the body.
-
a sinew or tendon.
to strain every nerve.
-
firmness or courage under trying circumstances.
an assignment requiring nerve;
to lose your nerve at the very last moment.
- Synonyms:
- resolution, fortitude, intrepidity, steadfastness
-
boldness; audacity; impudence; impertinence.
He had the nerve to say that?
-
nerves, nervousness.
an attack of nerves.
-
strength, vigor, or energy.
a test of nerve and stamina.
- Antonyms:
- weakness
-
(not in technical use) pulp tissue of a tooth.
-
Botany. a vein, as in a leaf.
-
a line, or one of a system of lines, extending across something.
verb (used with object)
-
nerves,
present (3rd person singular)
-
nerved,
past participle, past
-
nerving
present participle
idioms
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bundle of nerves. see bundle of nerves.
-
have nerves of steel, to be able to control one’s fear or unease and remain calm and competent, even in the worst of circumstances.
I thought I had nerves of steel, but when we had to dissect a pig, I turned into a jellyfish.
-
get on one's nerves, to irritate, annoy, or provoke one.
Boisterous children get on my nerves.
noun
-
any of the cordlike bundles of fibres that conduct sensory or motor impulses between the brain or spinal cord and another part of the body
-
courage, bravery, or steadfastness
-
to become timid, esp failing to perform some audacious act
-
informal boldness or effrontery; impudence
he had the nerve to swear at me
-
muscle or sinew (often in the phrase strain every nerve )
-
a large vein in a leaf
-
any of the veins of an insect's wing
-
to mention or bring to mind a sensitive issue or subject
verb
-
to give courage to (oneself); steel (oneself)
-
to provide with nerve or nerves
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
nervesimple
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nervessimple
-
have nervedperfect
-
has nervedperfect
-
am nervingprogressive
-
are nervingprogressive
-
is nervingprogressive
-
have been nervingperfect progressive
-
has been nervingperfect progressive
Past
-
nervedsimple
-
had nervedperfect
-
was nervingprogressive
-
were nervingprogressive
-
had been nervingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of nerve
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: “nerve, tendon,” from Latin nervus “sinew, tendon”; akin to Greek neûron ( see neuron); replacing Middle English nerf, from Middle French, from Latin, as above
Explanation
A nerve is a group of fibers that send sensation or physical feeling to the brain. Back pain can sometimes be caused by a damaged or pinched nerve. Your body depends on your nerves for sensing pain, heat, and cold — not to mention making it possible for you to move your muscles. You can also use the word nerve to mean bravery or daring: "She didn't know if she'd have the nerve to skydive when she was finally up in the plane." In the 1500s, to nerve was "to ornament with threads." All of these come from a Latin root, nervus, "sinew, tendon, cord, or bowstring."
Vocabulary lists containing nerve
"Raymond's Run"
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Psychology
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Human Anatomy and Physiology - Introductory
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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.
See Examples For:
The nerve cell death typically associated with dementia slowed significantly, and the treated animals lived longer.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026
Among the brand’s options is a zero-proof Negroni containing lion’s mane, a mushroom said to promote brain and nerve health.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
Authorities and experts agree that the Forest City operations were probably staffed by criminals who had been driven out of Cambodia, a global nerve centre for transnational scams.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
These changes are commonly associated with the ability of nerve cells to communicate and adapt.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026
Anya heard her mother scream her name, but Anya had to focus on the Varangian before her, or she was going to lose every last bit of her nerve and collapse to the ground.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
According to the company website, the glove is designed to disrupt sensory nerves without puncturing or burning the skin.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
That has frayed nerves more than once in the area.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
With the always-excellent Paudie Clifford influential early on, Kerry feasted on Mayo nerves to register the game's three opening scores, with David Clifford striking twice after Dylan Casey fisted over the bar.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
The team examined where these cells appear in the body, how they function, and how they connect with other tissues and nerves.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026
And my nerves are tingling, ready to burst through my skin.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
“He can get a little nerved up in the paddock,” said Shirreffs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2021
Then followed a few scruffy years on local TV, including his celebrated stint as a smart-aleck weatherman, before he nerved himself to head to Los Angeles in 1975.
From New York Times ● Apr. 10, 2017
Less a teen-age Rangerphile than an arachnophobe encountering a tarantula, I nerved myself to walk over to where Lindsay sat and confronted him, boy to man.
From The New Yorker ● Apr. 19, 2015
With the agility and speed of a backcourt guard, he un nerved opponents by blocking numerous shots, scoring 145 points and leading the team in rebounds.
From Time Magazine Archive
Fear lest he depart while she sat trembling upstairs nerved her and she was inside the room before she caught her breath.
From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston
As the story starts, the singer is nerving herself to ask a doctor whether or not she has a cancer.
From Time Magazine Archive
Amateur championships nerving himself up to proper pitch.
From Time Magazine Archive
Last week, in the salty little city of Bath, Me., the moment lor which Mrs. Vanderbilt had been nerving herself finally arrived.
From Time Magazine Archive
She stood outside nerving herself for the ordeal, knowing her desk would be the only one without flowers.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Priscilla walked by Janet's side, white and silent, nerving herself for the coming interview.
From The Suprising Adventures of Sir Toady Lion With Those of General Napoleon Smith by S. R. (Samuel Rutherford) Crockett
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.
