nervous
Americanadjective
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highly excitable; unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive.
to become nervous under stress.
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of or relating to the nerves.
nervous tension.
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affecting the nerves.
nervous diseases.
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experiencing, characterized by, or originating in a nervous system disorder.
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characterized by or attended with acute uneasiness or apprehension.
a nervous moment for us all.
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having or containing nerves.
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sinewy or strong.
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Archaic. vigorous or spirited.
adjective
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very excitable or sensitive; highly strung
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(often foll by of) apprehensive or worried
I'm nervous of traffic
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of, relating to, or containing nerves; neural
nervous tissue
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affecting the nerves or nervous tissue
a nervous disease
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archaic active, vigorous, or forceful
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of nervous
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin nervōsus “sinewy,” equivalent to nerv(us) nerve + -ōsus -ous
Explanation
You know that queasy, uneasy feeling you get before a test? That's a nervous feeling. Everyone gets nervous sometimes. Being nervous is a major part of life that everyone has to deal with at times. Some people are more nervous than others, but we all get nervous about certain things — for example, having to perform in front of a crowd makes most people nervous. Getting interviewed for a job is a nervous experience. When the stock market keeps going up or down, you could say it's a nervous stock market. Nervous also applies to the body's nervous system, which includes your brain, spinal cord, and the nerves throughout your body. If you think you injured your nervous system, that's a good reason to be nervous.
Vocabulary lists containing nervous
Emotions on Display
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"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto
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Yikes! Synonyms for "Scared"
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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.
And many of us feel nervous about getting things wrong.
From Science Daily • May 22, 2026
BBC Sport looks at the key decisions Tuchel has faced in picking his final squad - and who has had most reason to be nervous during the selection process.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
Buddy Bradley was the African-American choreographer who envisioned these moves and instilled in Matthews, a nervous performer, the confidence she needed.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026
Choline is already known to be important for the brain and nervous system, and many people in the United States do not get the recommended daily amount.
From Science Daily • May 16, 2026
Usually a hummingbird of a woman with fidgety hands and a nervous smile, she seemed dulled somehow.
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
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.
