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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.

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nu ² American  

[noo] / nu /

interjection

1. well? so? so what?

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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.

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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

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nu ² British  

/ njuː /

noun

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

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nu ³ British  

abbreviation

1. Niue

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nu- ⁴ British  

prefix

1. informal indicating an updated or modern version of something

   nu-metal music

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nu Nu nu-

At the dawn of the new millennium, music critics prophesied that five young men living in New York City would cast the false gods of nu metal, rap-rock and boy bands out of heavy rotation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

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

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

Her family sued a distributor of Alani Nu energy drinks, alleging their marketing targeted minors and the cans failed to adequately warn of their caffeine content.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Rosales invited car clubs, including Nu Minis and local Volksstyle CC, to show off their rides, bringing attention to modified vehicles that aren’t lowriders.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 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

Nu Metro trailed the film on its Instagram account a fortnight ago.

From BBC ● Jan. 29, 2026

"Nu, Reuven,” he said quietly, "finally, finally you come to see me.”

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok

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

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

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

They are far too nu-         Merous to mention.

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

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