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.
Mikel Arteta decided to replace Havertz with Gyokeres minutes later as the Gunners held on for a nervy 1-0 win to move one win away from becoming champions.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
Kai Havertz's headed first-half goal proved enough despite a nervy second half, during which the goalscorer escaped a red card for a late challenge.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
The Lakers already won two nervy road games over the Rockets during the regular season.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026
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
Using two sticks, I lifted the kitten into a clump of nervy snowdrops.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
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.
