nerves

British  

/ nɜːvz /

plural noun

1. the imagined source of emotional control

   my nerves won't stand it

2. anxiety, tension, or imbalance

   she's all nerves

3. a very nervous person

4. to irritate, annoy, or upset one

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Example Sentences

Brown fat relies on dense networks of nerves and blood vessels to do its job.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

That turned out to be just a citywide case of nerves.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Stock market volatility can be grueling on your nerves, but it can also create opportunities to eke out some tax savings.

From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026

The only problem is that “when the dust has settled and investors’ nerves have steadied, the bargains will be gone.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

I inhale a breath of air, but it doesn’t make me feel that much better—and it’s not worth risking Mother’s nerves by staying outside too long, so we return to our cabin.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar