Jump To:

• 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

---

nu ² British  

/ njuː /

noun

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

---

nu ³ British  

abbreviation

1. Niue

---

nu- ⁴ British  

prefix

1. informal indicating an updated or modern version of something

   nu-metal music

---

Etymology

Origin of nu¹

1885–90; < Greek nû < Semitic; cf. nun ²

Origin of nu²

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

Example Sentences

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

Performed second-to-last, her powerful performance - essentially Lady Gaga fronting the nu metal band Evansecence - proved tantalising enough to take third place.

From BBC • May 17, 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

The Igwe came over to shake Papa’s hand during Peace and Love, and he said, “Nno nu, I will stop by later, so we can greet properly.”

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie