nervy
Americanadjective
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brashly presumptuous or insolent; pushy.
a nervy thing to say; a nervy trick to pull.
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having or showing courage; brave or bold.
the nervy feats of the mountaineers.
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strong; sinewy; vigorous.
a hard, nervy physique.
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Chiefly British. straining one's patience or forbearance; trying.
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nervous; excitable; on edge.
adjective
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informal tense or apprehensive
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having or needing bravery or endurance
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informal brash or cheeky
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archaic muscular; sinewy
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of nervy
Explanation
If you're nervy, you're so outspoken and brave that you're almost rude. A nervy student isn't afraid to ask even the grouchiest teacher to explain why he's giving so much homework on a Friday. You can use nervy to simply mean "brave," but it usually carries the implication of being a bit of a smart aleck. Your nervy questions at a job interview might be seen as refreshingly straightforward, or simply cheeky and impudent. Sometimes nervy instead means "nervous," like a nervy tightrope walker who trembles and shakes with fear, but this meaning is more common in Britain than in the U.S.
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.
He was in the margins of a nervy farewell to Hampden before the team heads for the United States on Sunday.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
But this is going to be a nervy old afternoon for Tottenham and their fans.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
Three consecutive second-placed finishes contributed to a nervy title run-in - but the outpouring of emotion at making it fourth time lucky made for spectacular scenes.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
The Lakers already won two nervy road games over the Rockets during the regular season.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026
But the inspecting officer took it in stride and when it was all over and he let it pass I think we all felt you were a nervy guy.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
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.
