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  • nu
    nu
    noun
    the 13th letter of the Greek alphabet (Ν, ν).
  • Nu
    Nu
    noun
    U Thauin Nu, 1907–1995, Burmese political leader: prime minister 1948–56, 1957–58, 1960–62.
  • nu-
    nu-
    prefix
    indicating an updated or modern version of something

nu

1 American  
[noo, nyoo] / nu, nju /

noun

  1. the 13th letter of the Greek alphabet (Ν, ν).

  2. the consonant sound represented by this letter.


nu 2 American  
[noo] / nu /

interjection

  1. well? so? so what?


Nu 3 American  
[noo] / nu /

noun

  1. U Thauin Nu, 1907–1995, Burmese political leader: prime minister 1948–56, 1957–58, 1960–62.

  2. Egyptian Religion Nun.


Nu 1 British  
/ njuː /

noun

  1. U (uː), original name Thakin Nu. 1907–95, Burmese statesman and writer; prime minister (1948–56, 1957–58, 1960–62). He attempted to establish parliamentary democracy, but was ousted (1962) by Ne Win

"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

nu 2 British  
/ njuː /

noun

  1. the 13th letter in the Greek alphabet (Ν, ν), a consonant, transliterated as n

"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

nu 3 British  

abbreviation

  1. Niue

"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

nu- 4 British  

prefix

  1. informal indicating an updated or modern version of something

    nu-metal music

"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

Etymology

Origin of nu1

1885–90; < Greek < Semitic; cf. nun 2

Origin of nu2

1890–95; < Yiddish; cognate with Old High German, Middle High German (adv. and conjunction), German nu (dial. and colloquial) well! well now! See now

Vocabulary lists containing nu

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:

It was this link between one-way genetic flow, patrilocality, and the non-reciprocity of exchange that led me, in Néandertal nu in 2022, to formulate the singular paradox: “Neanderthal, Sapiens: I love you… me neither.”

From Science Daily Jul. 7, 2026

They were followed as first-night headliners by Linkin Park's fellow nu metal trailblazers Limp Bizkit - second on the bill a couple of years ago but elevated further this year as their latest renaissance continues.

From BBC Jun. 15, 2026

That vision got clearer when he first saw singer Moody performing with the nu metal band Motograter.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 19, 2025

In the nu metal subgenre, they find an accessible mix of metal, hip-hop, funk and alternative rock; a flamboyant sense of style; and a gloomy-but-relatable subject matter.

From New York Times Jul. 25, 2023

Her indignation came to her in English, even as she recalled a Chinese saying, Lao xu cbeng nu — constant shame becomes anger.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

A 12-oz can of Celsius or Alani Nu contains 200 mg—a little less than two Red Bulls or five Diet Cokes, and about 50-80 mg more than each of my lattes.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 4, 2026

We first meet her in her inner sanctum, her extremely girly bedroom in the depths of her extremely girly sorority, Delta Nu.

From Salon Jul. 6, 2026

Celsius, which also owns energy drink brands Alani Nu and Rockstar Energy, has been in high-growth mode lately.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 25, 2026

Elsewhere in the beverage business, Celsius Holdings has acquired Alani Nu.

From Barron's Oct. 16, 2025

China stuck the hot curlers into a tin of Nu Nile hair dressing.

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison

Similar examples could be given of Moslem nu- merological practices.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

They are far too nu-         Merous to mention.

From Tobogganing on Parnassus by Franklin P. (Franklin Pierce) Adams

The city whose lord is distressed,66 26. en-šú la-ba-ši-gur-ru suģ67-ám-bi nu- um- im me 26.

From Sumerian Liturgies and Psalms by Stephen Langdon

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