Nordic
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of a Germanic people of northern European origin, exemplified by the Scandinavians.
Nordic
American
[nawr-dik]
/ ˈnɔr dɪk /
adjective
-
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.
noun
nordic
1
British
/ ˈnɔːdɪk /
adjective
-
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
Nordic
2
British
/ ˈnɔːdɪk /
adjective
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
Etymology
Origin of Nordic
1895–1900; < French nordique, equivalent to nord north + -ique -ic
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.
See Examples For:
"I guess it's safe to say that the line between war and peace has been blurred, and that's the new reality that we live with in Europe right now," he said, prescribing his Nordic remedy.
From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026
It has also ceded its position as the Nordic country's second-largest political force.
From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026
Just this week, Nordic utility Fortum signed a deal with Alphabet’s Google to power data centers in Finland, extending the life of its Loviisa nuclear power plant.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
Dozens of European royals and heads of state, including the Prince of Wales and three Nordic kings, have paid their last respects to King Harald V in Oslo.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
“Certainly are,” said a third, a younger man, huge and Nordic blond.
From "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman
Despite those tasting notes, the little jars of broccoli juice are already in wide circulation among the European teams that dominate nordic skiing, barely a year since becoming commercially available.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 12, 2026
Variable snow is just one challenge facing the intrepid nordic skiers of Whatcom County.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 15, 2023
Grants from the National Recreation Trails program and the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office have also helped the shoestring operation, which provides the closest groomed nordic skiing to residents of Whatcom and Skagit counties.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 15, 2023
That she will compete in two para nordic sit ski events at the Paralympic Games in Beijing this month is a testament to her strong willpower.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 4, 2022
Instead of the nordic hearth there is the courtyard about which the women sit while the men are away at the marketplace.
From Rosinante to the Road Again by John Dos Passos
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.
