nervousness

[ nur-vuhs-nis ]

/ ˈnɜr vəs nɪs /

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See synonyms for nervousness on Thesaurus.com

noun

the state or condition of being highly, acutely, or unnaturally uneasy or excitable:There is always an element of nervousness or stage fright in public speaking.High levels of thyroid hormones can cause side effects such as weight loss, rapid heart rate, and nervousness.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of nervousness

nervous + -ness

OTHER WORDS FROM nervousness

non·nerv·ous·ness, nouno·ver·nerv·ous·ness, nounsem·i·nerv·ous·ness, nounun·nerv·ous·ness, noun

Words nearby nervousness

nervosity, nervous, nervous breakdown, nervous exhaustion, nervous Nellie, nervousness, nervous system, nervous wreck, nervule, nervuration, nervure

How to use nervousness in a sentence

Time and again people have really been nervous about what could happen.
RBG, minority rule, and our looming legitimacy crisis|Ezra Klein|September 25, 2020|Vox
Palmer Luckey’s young defense company has been selected by the Air Force for work on a cutting-edge, multibillion-dollar nervous system for war.
Anduril among companies tapped to build the Air Force’s ‘internet of things’ for war|Taylor Hatmaker|September 24, 2020|TechCrunch
This is normal and critical to the development of organ systems in the fetus, like the lungs, liver and central nervous system.
Pregnancy During A Pandemic: The Stress Of COVID-19 On Pregnant Women And New Mothers Is Showing|LGBTQ-Editor|September 23, 2020|No Straight News
He keeps a nervous eye on the boxes of candy and gum, knowing that he’ll have to throw them out if they expire before someone buys them.
The Big Corporate Rescue and the America That’s Too Small to Save|by Lydia DePillis, Justin Elliott and Paul Kiel|September 12, 2020|ProPublica

The idea that the mathematics for an optimal blind search strategy might be embedded in the very structure of a nervous system feels like a question that needs to be answered.
Random Search Wired Into Animals May Help Them Hunt|Liam Drew|June 11, 2020|Quanta Magazine
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
"No; his coming has taken me by surprise," replied Hartledon, with a nervousness he could not wholly conceal.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
In sheer nervousness, Hilda also dropped to her knees on the hearthrug, and began to worry the fire with the poker.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
Once on my legs I found that nervousness left me, words came freely and I even enjoyed the novel experience.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
After a few days of excessive nervousness the most timorous among the women were heard to complain of the monotony of existence!
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
I hope he will succeed next time, but his nervousness renders it still more doubtful.
The Daisy Chain|Charlotte Yonge