nervy

American  

[nur-vee] / ˈnɜr vi /

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.

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nervy British  

/ ˈnɜːvɪ /

adjective

1. informal tense or apprehensive

2. having or needing bravery or endurance

3. informal brash or cheeky

4. archaic muscular; sinewy

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Other Word Forms

• nervily adverb
• nerviness noun

Etymology

Origin of nervy

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

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

Hearts found their scoring boots on Saturday, their own fightback from behind to beat Motherwell 3-1 breaking a trend of four nervy 1-0 home wins.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

After that nervy victory on Saturday, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell praised the debutant's contribution in his post-match news conference.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

He admitted that the huge crowds can make for a nervy experience but Matsuyama, who has five top-five finishes and five top-10s in Phoenix, said he loves the atmosphere.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

Arsenal are still four points clear at the top of the Premier League - but are things just starting to get a bit nervy for the Gunners?

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

Big Bill, whom the Defender called “the spectacular, nervy Mayor of Chicago,” publicly spoke out against the slights that blacks found so demeaning, and made a great show of celebrating their successes.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield