nervy

[nur-vee]

adjective

nervier, nerviest 

1. brashly presumptuous or insolent; pushy.

   a nervy thing to say; a nervy trick to pull.

2. having or showing courage; brave or bold.

   the nervy feats of the mountaineers.

3. strong; sinewy; vigorous.

   a hard, nervy physique.

4. Chiefly British.,  straining one's patience or forbearance; trying.

5. nervous; excitable; on edge.

nervy

/ ˈnɜːvɪ /

adjective

1. informal,  tense or apprehensive

2. having or needing bravery or endurance

3. informal,  brash or cheeky

4. archaic,  muscular; sinewy

Other Word Forms

• nervily adverb
• nerviness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nervy¹

First recorded in 1600–10; nerve + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Rinderknech, 30, converted his first break point of the match in the third game as his opponent made a nervy start.

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Just 12 months ago, the Cherry and Whites sealed victory in a nervy final under the lights at Old Trafford, capping off a historic quadruple.

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Where their previous albums were firmly rooted in Ireland, Romance was inspired by the neon lights of Tokyo and classic Japanese animation Akira, whose themes of nuclear era paranoia inform the band's nervy guitar anthems.

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He swapped Spain for Switzerland and flew out in time for the nervy quarter-final win over Sweden in Zurich.

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With Rangers looking nervy and vulnerable in a first half Martin described as "uncomfortable", Curtis eased growing tension by demanding the ball, driving inside, and unleashing a stunning strike to ignite Martin's reign.

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