nod

[ nod ]

/ nɒd /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for nod on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), nod·ded, nod·ding.

to make a slight, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command.

to let the head fall slightly forward with a sudden, involuntary movement when sleepy.

to doze, especially in a sitting position: The speaker was so boring that half the audience was nodding.

to become careless, inattentive, or listless; make an error or mistake through lack of attention.

(of trees, flowers, plumes, etc.) to droop, bend, or incline with a swaying motion.

verb (used with object), nod·ded, nod·ding.

to bend (the head) in a short, quick downward movement, as of assent or greeting.

to express or signify by such a movement of the head: to nod approval; to nod agreement.

to summon, bring, or send by a nod of the head.

to cause (something) to lean or sway; incline.

noun

a short, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command, or because of drowsiness.

a brief period of sleep; nap.

a bending or swaying movement.

a gesture or action indicating that someone or something has been approved, selected, recognized, etc.: The domed ceiling is a nod to traditional library reading rooms.

a nomination, as for an office or award: It looks like he’s locked up the party’s nod for governor. The film has received critical praise and two Oscar nods.

Verb Phrases

nod off, to fall asleep or doze, especially in a sitting position: He was reprimanded for nodding off in class.

nod out, Slang. to fall asleep, especially owing to the effects of a drug.

OTHER WORDS FOR nod

3 drowse.

See synonyms for nod on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Idioms about nod

get the nod, to get approval; be selected, recognized, etc.: We’ve gotten the nod from the administration to hire two assistant professors.He got the nod as starting pitcher for the Phillies.

give the nod, to give an indication of approval, recognition, etc.: The board gave the nod to the new proposal.It wasn’t till May that the company was given the nod to schedule the event.

on the nod,

British Slang. on credit.
Slang. drowsy following a dose of a narcotic drug.

Origin of nod

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English nodde, of uncertain origin

OTHER WORDS FROM nod

nod·der, nounnod·ding·ly, adverbun·nod·ding, adjective

Words nearby nod

nocturnal enuresis, nocturnal myoclonus, nocturne, nocuous, no-cut contract, nod, nodal, nodal bradycardia, nodal escape, nodal extrasystole, nodal point

Other definitions for nod (2 of 2)

Nod

[ nod ]

/ nɒd /

noun

the land east of Eden where Cain went to dwell. Genesis 4:16.

land of Nod.

Origin of Nod

Ultimately from Hebrew Nōdh “wandering”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use nod in a sentence

“Rowing is good for the stomach also,” Dubey says with a nod and a pat of his belly.
When a Body Meets a Boatman on the Ganges|Eugene Robinson|February 23, 2021|Ozy
With a nod to the Maverick, the university mascot, students were grouped into small pods called “mavilies.”
How 5 universities tried to handle COVID-19 on campus|Betsy Ladyzhets|February 23, 2021|Science News
Beal was named an all-star starter for the first time in his career Thursday, becoming the first Wizards player to earn a starting nod since John Wall in 2015.
Wizards guard Bradley Beal earns first NBA All-Star Game starting nod|Ava Wallace|February 19, 2021|Washington Post
The name is a nod to Laughlin’s uniform number during his playing days with the Capitals from 1982 to 1988.
Craig Laughlin will soon have a hat trick of beer collaborations, all for a good cause|Scott Allen|February 18, 2021|Washington Post

The other big thing is that there are all of these nods to things that feel like pandemic life — reaching out for someone’s touch, and “sin city is cold and empty.”
How one hit song won The Weeknd a Super Bowl halftime show|Aja Romano|February 5, 2021|Vox
I lie and nod my head yes while wiping the tears on my gray fleece sleeve.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I would nod, and we'd tell the St. Regis 'One more night, please.'
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I nod, and he rolls his eyes in the direction of the bathroom.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She set a career nominations record with her 21st nod—all in the TV fields—for Best Actress in a Comedy for Nurse Jackie.
Jennifer Aniston, Oscar Nominee? 5 Takeaways from the 2015 SAG Award Nominations|Kevin Fallon|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“In the past, my goal was to have you scratch your head and then maybe nod it,” she says.
From Church of Christ to Pansexual Rapper|Tyler Gillespie|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The nod of assent was given, and the permission put in force with hearty good will.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
By the time this story was finished, the company gathered around the fire began to nod their heads.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
She gave him a cavalier little nod, touched her horse with the whip, and a moment later was lost in a cloud of dust.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Gwynne accepted this act of sacrifice with a matter-of-fact nod, and it was but a moment later that they came upon another flock.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
He eyed Bumble askance as he entered, but scarcely deigned to nod his head in acknowledgment of his salutation.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for nod

nod

/ (nɒd) /

verb nods, nodding or nodded

to lower and raise (the head) briefly, as to indicate agreement, invitation, etc

(tr) to express or indicate by noddingshe nodded approval

(tr) to bring or direct by noddingshe nodded me towards the manager's office

(intr) (of flowers, trees, etc) to sway or bend forwards and back

(intr) to let the head fall forward through drowsiness; be almost asleepthe old lady sat nodding by the fire

(intr) to be momentarily inattentive or carelesseven Homer sometimes nods

nodding acquaintance a slight, casual, or superficial knowledge (of a subject or a person)

noun

a quick down-and-up movement of the head, as in assent, command, etcshe greeted him with a nod

a short sleep; napSee also land of Nod

a swaying motion, as of flowers, etc, in the wind

on the nod informal

agreed, as in a committee meeting, without any formal procedure
(formerly) on credit

the nod boxing informal the award of a contest to a competitor on the basis of points scored

Derived forms of nod

nodding, adjective, noun

Word Origin for nod

C14 nodde, of obscure origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with nod

nod

In addition to the idiom beginning with nod

nodding acquaintance
nod off

also see:

get the nod

nod

OTHER WORDS FOR nod

Idioms about nod

Origin of nod

OTHER WORDS FROM nod

Words nearby nod

Other definitions for nod (2 of 2)

Origin of Nod

Words related to nod

How to use nod in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nod

Derived forms of nod

Word Origin for nod

Other Idioms and Phrases with nod