nervous

[ nur-vuhs ]

/ ˈnɜr vəs /

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See synonyms for: nervous / nervously / nervousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

highly excitable; unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive: to become nervous under stress.

of or relating to the nerves: nervous tension.

affecting the nerves: nervous diseases.

experiencing, characterized by, or originating in a nervous system disorder.

characterized by or attended with acute uneasiness or apprehension: a nervous moment for us all.

having or containing nerves.

sinewy or strong.

Archaic. vigorous or spirited.

OTHER WORDS FOR nervous

1 anxious, neurotic, tense; timid, timorous.

See synonyms for nervous on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR nervous

1 confident, bold.

See antonyms for nervous on Thesaurus.com

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On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.

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Origin of nervous

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin nervōsus “sinewy,” equivalent to nerv(us) nerve + -ōsus -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM nervous

nerv·ous·ly, adverbnerv·ous·ness, nounnon·ner·vous, adjectivenon·ner·vous·ly, adverb

o·ver·nerv·ous, adjectiveo·ver·nerv·ous·ly, adverbsem·i·nerv·ous, adjectivesem·i·nerv·ous·ly, adverbun·nerv·ous, adjectiveun·nerv·ous·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use nervous in a sentence

Many people remain nervous about going into stores as long as infection and death rates remain high.
Local businesses can highlight COVID-19 ‘health & safety’ measures with Google My Business|Greg Sterling|September 10, 2020|Search Engine Land
Some chains allow the really nervous self-isolator to sing alone in a room in their establishment but be linked online to any other rooms in their nationwide network to form a virtual group.
Can Japan’s Karaoke Bars Survive the Pandemic?|Fiona Zublin|September 7, 2020|Ozy
It’s understandable, then, that some viewers might be nervous when it comes to how queerness will manifest in the updated Mulan.
Toward a queer Disney canon|Emily VanDerWerff|September 4, 2020|Vox
Physiologically, this explanation focuses on the nervous system, which delivers the electrical signals that control our muscles and physical functions.
My Chronic Pain Was No Match for This Mat|Aleta Burchyski|September 4, 2020|Outside Online

People get nervous when the dog-sized predators hunt and forage in their backyards.
Are coyotes moving into your neighborhood?|Kathryn Hulick|September 3, 2020|Science News For Students
George took his acoustic guitar and began showing me the chord changes, which I nervously wrote out on a chord chart.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More|Gary Wright|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She had watched the movie nervously for the first time that afternoon, worried that it would spark memories she had buried.
Westgate's Chilling Security Video Reveals Shopping Mall Bloodbath|Nina Strochlic|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Moments before he begins to rap, his eyes dart nervously around.
An ISIS Killer in His Own Awful Words|Miranda Frum|September 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Mr. Richardson just dropped his pressure,” he said nervously about the brain-damaged patient in the CCU.
Real Life Lazarus: When Patients Rise From the Dead|Sandeep Jauhar|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pictures and videos of the animal show him swaying nervously, crying in pain, and lying flat on the concrete.
More Bad Luck For Depressed Polar Bear|Abby Haglage|July 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"So that is Jim Poindexter, the bloody villain," muttered the boy between his set teeth, and nervously fingering his revolver.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
With hands nervously working within her muff, she suddenly missed the handkerchief which she had placed there.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
He put on his soft hat and nervously took it off again, and wiping his face with his handkerchief, complained of the heat.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
The eddies beyond the breakwater were a light and delicate mauve and looked nervously alive.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
Mrs. Ducksmith shot a timid glance at him and the knitting needles clicked together nervously.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke

British Dictionary definitions for nervous

nervous

/ (ˈnɜːvəs) /

adjective

very excitable or sensitive; highly strung

(often foll by of) apprehensive or worriedI'm nervous of traffic

of, relating to, or containing nerves; neuralnervous tissue

affecting the nerves or nervous tissuea nervous disease

archaic active, vigorous, or forceful

Derived forms of nervous

nervously, adverbnervousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for nervous

nervous

[ nûr′vəs ]

adj.

Of or relating to the nerves or nervous system.

Stemming from or affecting the nerves or nervous system, as a disease.

Easily agitated or distressed.

nervous

OTHER WORDS FOR nervous

OPPOSITES FOR nervous

Origin of nervous

OTHER WORDS FROM nervous

Words related to nervous

How to use nervous in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nervous

Derived forms of nervous

Medical definitions for nervous