Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more 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. Show More
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. Show More
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. Show More
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. Show More
give the nod to , Informal to express approval of; agree to: The board gave the nod to the new proposal. on the nod , British Slang on credit. Slang drowsy following a dose of a narcotic drug. Show More
Origin of nod 1350–1400; Middle English nodde, of uncertain origin
Related forms nod·der , noun nod·ding·ly , adverb un·nod·ding , adjective the land east of Eden where Cain went to dwell. Gen. 4:16. land of Nod .Show More
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for nod acknowledgment ,
permission ,
greeting ,
salute ,
bow ,
respond ,
acknowledge ,
greet ,
bend ,
signal ,
acceptance ,
affirmative ,
indication ,
beckon ,
yes ,
sign ,
dip ,
inclination ,
concur ,
acquiesce Examples from the Web for nod Contemporary Examples of nod I lie and nod my head yes while wiping the tears on my gray fleece sleeve.
I nod , and he rolls his eyes in the direction of the bathroom.
She set a career nominations record with her 21st nod —all in the TV fields—for Best Actress in a Comedy for Nurse Jackie.
We nod our heads towards Pakistan and he is quiet, staring at the floor.
When he says something, nod ; this nod ding will induce him to agree with you.
Historical Examples of nod With a nod and a smile, Aspasia said, "Continue the music, I pray you."
Wanhope assented to the question referred to him with a nod .
All that saved her now was the nod of the Judge's head—both had the giving of life and death.
A nod from the water seller told that I had reached the end of the journey.
The man by his nod seemed to show he understood what was afoot.
British Dictionary definitions for nod verb nods , nodding or nodded to lower and raise (the head) briefly, as to indicate agreement, invitation, etc (tr) to express or indicate by nodding she nodded approval (tr) to bring or direct by nodding she 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 asleep the old lady sat nodding by the fire (intr) to be momentarily inattentive or careless even Homer sometimes nods nodding acquaintance a slight, casual, or superficial knowledge (of a subject or a person) Show More
a quick down-and-up movement of the head, as in assent, command, etc she greeted him with a nod a short sleep; nap See 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 Show More
Derived Forms 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
Word Origin and History for nod v. "to quickly bow the head," late 14c., of unknown origin, probably an Old English word, but not recorded; perhaps related to Old High German hnoton "to shake," from Proto-Germanic *khnudojanan . Meaning "to drift in and out of consciousness while on drugs" is attested from 1968. Related: Nodded ; nodding . A nodding acquaintance (1711) is one you know just well enough to greet with a nod.
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n. mid-15c., from nod (v.). Land of Nod "sleep" is a pun on the biblical place name (Gen. iv:16).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with nod In addition to the idiom beginning with nod
nodding acquaintance nod off also see:
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
