nudge¹

[nuhj]

See more synonyms for nudge on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), nudged, nudg·ing.

to push slightly or gently, especially with the elbow, to get someone's attention, prod someone into action, etc.

verb (used without object), nudged, nudg·ing.

to give a nudge.

noun

a slight or gentle push or jog, especially with the elbow.

Origin of nudge¹

1665–75; variant of dial. (k)nidge, akin to Old English cnucian, cnocian to knock

Related formsnudg·er, noun

Synonyms

See more synonyms for nudge on Thesaurus.com

1. elbow, poke, jog.

nudge²

or noodge, nudzh

[noo j]

verb (used with object), nudged, nudg·ing.

to annoy with persistent complaints, criticisms, or pleas; nag: He was always nudging his son to move to a better neighborhood.

verb (used without object), nudged, nudg·ing.

to nag, whine, or carp.

noun

a person who nudges; pest.

Origin of nudge²

1875–80; < Yiddish, stem of nudyen to bore < Polish nudzić; cf. nudnik

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for nudged

Contemporary Examples

She paused at one point due to the pain, and handler Red Eldridge nudged her to keep moving.
Thrills and Too Many Spills: The Dangers of the Circus
Marina Watts
May 5, 2014
He nudged with a foot at a busted-out bucket, moving easier now, down the slope—more old gear in the grass.
The Ballad of Johnny France
Richard Ben Cramer
January 12, 2014
In the previous Qpoll, DeBlasio had nudged into a one-point lead over Quinn at 26-25.
New York City: DeBlasio Running Away?
Michael Tomasky
August 28, 2013
Even if that means, sometimes, she has to be nudged back a little.
Jewel Is Back in ‘Ring of Fire’ and You Should Be Very Excited
Kevin Fallon
May 24, 2013
Whether it was on a conscious or unconscious level, he found a loophole in sports media and nudged his story through it.
Deadspin Rides Manti Te’o Hoax Story to Renown—and Keeps Heat on ESPN
David Freedlander
February 5, 2013

Historical Examples

The captain of dragoons, who was sitting beside him, nudged him with his elbow.
A Hero of Our Time
M. Y. Lermontov
Then as soon as they were helped they nudged one another and spoke with their mouths full.
L'Assommoir
Emile Zola
The slaves sat round an overseer who shook the dozing and nudged the slow.
The Age of Invention
Holland Thompson
Occasionally she nudged her companions, and asked them what had become of Walter Scott.
Where Angels Fear to Tread
E. M. Forster
She nudged her companion and drew his attention without speaking.
The Hound From The North
Ridgwell Cullum

British Dictionary definitions for nudged

nudge

verb (tr)

to push or poke (someone) gently, esp with the elbow, to get attention; jog
to push slowly or lightlyas I drove out, I just nudged the gatepost
to give (someone) a gentle reminder or encouragement

noun

a gentle poke or push
a gentle reminder

Derived Formsnudger, noun

Word Origin

C17: perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Icelandic nugga to push

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

Word Origin and History for nudged

nudge

n.2

"a slight push," 1836, from nudge (v.).

nudge

v.

"to push slightly with the elbow," 1670s, perhaps from Scandinavian (cf. Norwegian nugge, nyggje "to jostle, rub;" Icelandic nugga "to rub, massage"). Related: Nudged; nudging.

nudge

n.1

"complainer, nagger," 1960s, from Yiddish, from Slavic words meaning "fret, ache," realted to the root of nudnik (q.v.).

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Synonyms

nudge2

or noodge, nudzh

Origin of nudge2

Examples from the Web for nudged

Contemporary Examples

She paused at one point due to the pain, and handler Red Eldridge nudged her to keep moving.

He nudged with a foot at a busted-out bucket, moving easier now, down the slope—more old gear in the grass.

In the previous Qpoll, DeBlasio had nudged into a one-point lead over Quinn at 26-25.

Even if that means, sometimes, she has to be nudged back a little.

Whether it was on a conscious or unconscious level, he found a loophole in sports media and nudged his story through it.

Historical Examples

The captain of dragoons, who was sitting beside him, nudged him with his elbow.

Then as soon as they were helped they nudged one another and spoke with their mouths full.

The slaves sat round an overseer who shook the dozing and nudged the slow.

Occasionally she nudged her companions, and asked them what had become of Walter Scott.

She nudged her companion and drew his attention without speaking.

nudge

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for nudged

nudge

n.2

nudge

v.

nudge

n.1

nudge¹

Origin of nudge¹

nudge²

Origin of nudge²