See more synonyms for nudge on Thesaurus.comverb (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.
- a slight or gentle push or jog, especially with the elbow.
Origin of nudge
11665–75; variant of dial. (
k)nidge, akin to
Old English cnucian, cnocian to
knock Related formsnudg·er, nounnudge
2or 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.
- a person who nudges; pest.
Origin of nudge
21875–80; <
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 of nudged
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 of nudged
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.
British Dictionary definitions for nudged- 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
- a gentle poke or push
- a gentle reminder
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
Word Origin and History for nudgedn.2"a slight push," 1836, from nudge (v.).
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.
n.1"complainer, nagger," 1960s, from Yiddish, from Slavic words meaning "fret, ache," realted to the root of nudnik (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
