Nordic

American  

[nawr-dik] / ˈnɔr dɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a Germanic people of northern European origin, exemplified by the Scandinavians.

2. having or suggesting the physical characteristics associated with these people, typically tall stature, blond hair, blue eyes, and elongated head.

3. (sometimes lowercase) of or relating to skiing events involving ski jumping and cross-country skiing.

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noun

1. a member of the Nordic people, especially a Scandinavian.

nordic ¹ British  

/ ˈnɔːdɪk /

adjective

1. skiing of or relating to competitions in cross-country racing and ski-jumping Compare alpine

2. (of recreational walking) incorporating the use of poles that resemble ski poles to aid movement

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Nordic ² British  

/ ˈnɔːdɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to a subdivision of the Caucasoid race typified by the tall blond blue-eyed long-headed inhabitants of N Britain, Scandinavia, N Germany, and the Netherlands

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Usage

What is Nordic skiing? Nordic is a classification used to refer to types of skiing, including cross-country skiing and ski jumping.The terms Nordic and Nordic skiing are used in contrast with Alpine and Alpine skiing, which refer to what’s sometimes also called downhill skiing. Alpine events include the downhill, the slalom, the giant slalom, and the super giant slalom (popularly called Super G). Both nordic and alpine are sometimes left uncapitalized.There are multiple Nordic events in the Winter Olympics, including multiple events in both ski jumping (Normal Hill and Large Hill) and cross-country skiing (including sprints and longer distance races, such as the one known as Skiathlon). The event called Nordic Combined features both cross-country skiing and ski jumping.There are also Nordic skiing events in the Paralympic Winter Games.The skis used in Nordic skiing differ from those used in Alpine skiing in shape, size, and structure.Example: Alpine skiing gets a lot of attention during the Olympics, but the Nordic events are also very exciting to watch.

Other Word Forms

• Nordicity noun
• anti-Nordic adjective
• non-Nordic adjective
• pro-Nordic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Nordic

1895–1900; < French nordique, equivalent to nord north + -ique -ic

Example Sentences

“We simply don’t have the institutional knowledge that our Nordic and Scandinavian partners do, and that’s a hard reality to confront,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

PGS and Nordic combined are understood to be at risk of being chopped, with a decision yet to be made on the final sports programme.

From Barron's

One of the dead skiers was married to a member of the Tahoe Nordic rescue team, a volunteer group from Tahoe City that joined in the desperate search.

From Los Angeles Times

The sport was so closely woven into the fabric of Nordic culture that U.S. skiers knew they started every race as mere afterthoughts.

From The Wall Street Journal

With 81 percent of Greenland's surface covered in ice, the country imports 3,600 tonnes of vegetables each year, according to an article published by the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2021.

From Barron's