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nudge

1
[ nuhj ]
/ nʌdʒ /
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See synonyms for: nudge / nudged / nudging 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.
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Origin of nudge

1
1665–75; variant of dial. (k)nidge, akin to Old English cnucian, cnocian to knock

OTHER WORDS FROM nudge

nudger, noun

Other definitions for nudge (2 of 2)

nudge2

or noodge, nudzh

[ nooj ]
/ nʊdʒ /
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 nudge

2
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. 2023

Words related to nudge

dig, jab, jog, poke, prod, punch, push, shove, tap, touch

How to use nudge in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nudge

nudge
/ (nʌdʒ) /
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 forms of nudge

nudger, noun

Word Origin for nudge

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
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