Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for nervous on Thesaurus.com 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. suffering from, characterized by, or originating in disordered nerves . 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. Show More
Origin of nervous 1350–1400; Middle English <
Latin nervōsus sinewy, equivalent to
nerv(us )
nerve +
-ōsus -ous Related forms nerv·ous·ly , adverb nerv·ous·ness , noun non·ner·vous , adjective non·ner·vous·ly , adverb non·ner·vous·ness , noun o·ver·nerv·ous , adjective o·ver·nerv·ous·ly , adverb o·ver·nerv·ous·ness , noun sem·i·nerv·ous , adjective sem·i·nerv·ous·ly , adverb sem·i·nerv·ous·ness , noun un·nerv·ous , adjective un·nerv·ous·ly , adverb un·nerv·ous·ness , noun Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for nervousness tension ,
stress ,
impatience ,
agitation ,
sensitivity ,
disquiet ,
jitters ,
uneasiness ,
anger ,
turbulence ,
worry ,
flap ,
perturbation ,
stimulation ,
animation ,
to-do ,
tizzy ,
fuss ,
timidity ,
discomfiture Examples from the Web for nervousness Contemporary Examples of nervousness Others on the RSD forum would deconstruct his approach: “too aggressive,” “too many questions,” “nervousness in your voice,” etc.
Her nervousness about its content made her decide to publish it under a pseudonym, for reasons that would later become clear.
His brown eyes were penetrating yet peaceful, and he immediately disarmed my nervousness with his gentleness.
Adding to the nervousness are mixed messages from those who are supposed to be in the know.
They helped keep my nervousness and dread at a low boil, as I began to write a book about a writer at my age.
Historical Examples of nervousness It is nothing but nervousness and fright at that horrible firing.
Suddenly she tore it open, her hands unsteady with nervousness .
A cold rage of nervousness beset her, so overpowering that she herself was amazed at it.
She misunderstood: he laughed, but his nervousness was genuine.
Lately, he had half confessed to her what a nervousness she had produced.
British Dictionary definitions for nervousness very excitable or sensitive; highly strung (often foll by of) apprehensive or worried I'm nervous of traffic of, relating to, or containing nerves; neural nervous tissue affecting the nerves or nervous tissue a nervous disease archaic active, vigorous, or forceful Show More
Derived Forms nervously , adverb nervousness , 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
Word Origin and History for nervousness adj. c.1400, "affecting the sinews," from Latin nervosus "sinewy, vigorous," from nervus "sinew, nerve" (see nerve ). Meaning "of or belonging to the nerves" in the modern sense is from 1660s. Meaning "suffering disorder of the nervous system" is from 1734; illogical sense "restless, agitated, lacking nerve" is 1740. Widespread popular use as a euphemism for mental forced the medical community to coin neurological to replace it in the older sense. Nervous wreck first attested 1862. Related: Nervously ; nervousness .
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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. Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
