nervous

[ nur-vuhs ]

/ ˈnɜr vəs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR nervous 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.

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.

Nearby words

nervine, nerving, nervon, nervonic acid, nervosity, nervous, nervous bladder, nervous breakdown, nervous exhaustion, nervous indigestion, nervous lobe

Origin of nervous

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin nervōsus sinewy, equivalent to nerv(us) nerve + -ōsus -ous

SYNONYMS FOR nervous

1 fearful, timid, timorous.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR nervous ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR nervous

1 confident, bold.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR nervous ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

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

non·ner·vous·ness, nouno·ver·nerv·ous, adjectiveo·ver·nerv·ous·ly, adverbo·ver·nerv·ous·ness, nounsem·i·nerv·ous, adjectivesem·i·nerv·ous·ly, adverbsem·i·nerv·ous·ness, nounun·nerv·ous, adjectiveun·nerv·ous·ly, adverbun·nerv·ous·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for nervousness

Others on the RSD forum would deconstruct his approach: “too aggressive,” “too many questions,” “nervousness in your voice,” etc.
School Shooters Love This Pickup Artist Website|Brandy Zadrozny|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her nervousness about its content made her decide to publish it under a pseudonym, for reasons that would later become clear.
Ted Hughes’s Brother on Losing Sylvia Plath|Gerald Hughes|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His brown eyes were penetrating yet peaceful, and he immediately disarmed my nervousness with his gentleness.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More|Gary Wright|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Adding to the nervousness are mixed messages from those who are supposed to be in the know.
Ebola-Fueled Racism Is on the Rise in Europe|Barbie Latza Nadeau|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They helped keep my nervousness and dread at a low boil, as I began to write a book about a writer at my age.
Mark Twain, Writing Coach and Role Model|Ben Tarnoff|April 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps his nervousness was not lessened by the glimpse he caught of Sam Hickeys face.
The Battleship Boys at Sea|Frank Gee Patchin
The little lady's manner was combined of effusiveness and nervousness.
Abington Abbey|Archibald Marshall
Thenichka's amazement caused her eyes almost to start from her head, and her nervousness completely to vanish.
Fathers and Sons|Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev
The one idea in her mind was that he should not suspect her of nervousness.
The Making of a Prig|Evelyn Sharp
The game began, neither man showing a sign of nervousness, though Shon was very pale.
Pierre And His People, [Tales of the Far North], Complete|Gilbert Parker

British Dictionary definitions for nervousness

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 Formsnervously, 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

Medicine definitions for nervousness

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

adjective

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of nervous

Examples from the Web for nervousness

British Dictionary definitions for nervousness

nervous

adjective

Medicine definitions for nervousness

nervous

adj.