nail-biting
Americannoun
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the act or practice of biting one's fingernails, especially as the result of anxiety or nervousness.
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Informal. nervousness.
The announcement that the trade agreement had been signed ended a week of nail-biting on Wall Street.
adjective
noun
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the act or habit of biting one's fingernails
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anxiety or tension
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( as modifier )
nail-biting suspense
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of nail-biting
First recorded in 1890–95
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.
For Argentina, it was just the latest in a string of nail-biting wins.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
In the Sparks’ previous matchup against the Storm a month ago, the two had totaled 34 points in the 88-83 nail-biting win.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
It did so by beating the Germans on penalties in a nail-biting finish.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
Its English-language publication stalled after the series was dropped by its original publisher, which means it’s been a wait for readers since the last book’s nail-biting final panels.
From Salon ● Jun. 27, 2026
After the war ended, Elizebeth’s work offered no more moments of nail-biting suspense, just endless tedium.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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.
