nervy
Americanadjective
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brashly presumptuous or insolent; pushy.
a nervy thing to say; a nervy trick to pull.
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having or showing courage; brave or bold.
the nervy feats of the mountaineers.
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strong; sinewy; vigorous.
a hard, nervy physique.
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Chiefly British. straining one's patience or forbearance; trying.
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nervous; excitable; on edge.
adjective
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informal tense or apprehensive
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having or needing bravery or endurance
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informal brash or cheeky
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archaic muscular; sinewy
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of nervy
Explanation
If you're nervy, you're so outspoken and brave that you're almost rude. A nervy student isn't afraid to ask even the grouchiest teacher to explain why he's giving so much homework on a Friday. You can use nervy to simply mean "brave," but it usually carries the implication of being a bit of a smart aleck. Your nervy questions at a job interview might be seen as refreshingly straightforward, or simply cheeky and impudent. Sometimes nervy instead means "nervous," like a nervy tightrope walker who trembles and shakes with fear, but this meaning is more common in Britain than in the U.S.
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:
Tim Waterer of KCM Trade said: "Traders remain somewhat nervy about the scale of the capex being committed, given lingering concerns over how long the return-on-investment phase may take to fully materialise."
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
However, England replacements Henry Pollock and Emmanuel Iyogun were next to be sent to the sin-bin, making for a nervy finish.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
Despite the nervy conclusion, the U.S. finds itself on a historic run at this World Cup.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
Amid huge outlays on its war in Ukraine, tax rises, stubborn inflation and nervy consumers are all weighing on Russia's small companies.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
“He is one of the best explorers, one of the most nervy men in all dangers, whether they come from the elements, from wild beasts or from wilder men,” Roosevelt said.
From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple
It was a nervier finish than Arteta would have wanted, but the 41-year-old cut a very happy figure at full time as his side stretched their winning run in all competitions to five matches.
From BBC ● Dec. 2, 2023
Outfitted in progressively more luscious frocks by Susan Hilferty, Feldstein makes a journey from nervy tyro to nervier pro.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 24, 2022
Military flashpoints or related energy price shocks and power blackouts in Europe and elsewhere could make for an even nervier year-end than usual.
From Reuters ● Nov. 17, 2021
But it would take a sharper, nervier movie than “The Comedian,” whose promising setup and shambling rhythms are ultimately deflated by a soggy final punchline, to see that promise realized.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 1, 2016
Evidently he was a keener and nervier gambler than he had been taken for.
From The Rustlers of Pecos County by Grey, Zane
The nerviest moment for Norris came after his first pit stop, when he came up behind Tsunoda in a battle for third place.
From BBC ● Dec. 7, 2025
The nerviest conscience buster is Aniel Karia’s “The Long Goodbye,” a companion film to actor/rapper Riz Ahmed’s same-named album.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2022
“She rose fast in a business that was then dominated by men. She outmanned many of them: she was the toughest negotiator, the bluntest adversary, the nerviest deal maker,” Orlean writes.
From The New Yorker ● Nov. 24, 2019
Like all the nerviest and best auditions, this special was self-serving in the extreme, and teetered on the edge of failing.
From Time ● May 17, 2016
The old man is one of the pioneers in Mariposa, and they tell me that he was one of the nerviest men that ever drew a gun in this town.
From Emerson's Wife and Other Western Stories by Kelly, Florence Finch
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.
