of, relating to, or characteristic of a Germanic people of northern European origin, exemplified by the Scandinavians.
having or suggesting the physical characteristics associated with these people, typically tall stature, blond hair, blue eyes, and elongated head.
(sometimes lowercase) of or relating to skiing events involving ski jumping and cross-country skiing.
skiing of or relating to competitions in cross-country racing and ski-jumping Compare alpine
(of recreational walking) incorporating the use of poles that resemble ski poles to aid movement
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.
1895–1900; < French nordique, equivalent to nord north + -ique -ic
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Customers can experience the brand’s latest technology in a setting inspired by Nordic design and Southern California living.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026
That may be the most honest review a Chinese EV has gotten in this Nordic country.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026
"Some allies are doing more than others -- and we have countries like Poland, the Nordic countries, the Baltics, and Germany leading the way," US envoy Matthew Whitaker told journalists.
From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026
Norwegian said it will consider a secondary listing in Stockholm following closing to reflect the enlarged group’s broader Nordic shareholder base and customer footprint.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026
By 1925 dozens of rowing clubs were headquartered in and around Griinau—among them some whose members were exclusively Jewish, some whose members were exclusively Nordic, and many whose members were congenially mixed.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
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.
