nod
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1Other words for nod
Other words from nod
- nod·der, noun
- nod·ding·ly, adverb
- un·nod·ding, adjective
Other definitions for Nod (2 of 2)
the land east of Eden where Cain went to dwell. Genesis 4:16.
Origin of Nod
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for nod
/ (nɒd) /
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)
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
Origin of nod
1Derived forms of nod
- nodding, adjective, noun
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
In addition to the idiom beginning with nod
- nodding acquaintance
- nod off
also see:
- get the nod
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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