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 nudging
Contemporary Examples of nudging
I worry that these forces are nudging our kids towards behaviors that could adversely impact them down the road.
Yet, far from nudging Rajapaksa toward greater accountability, their presence in Sri Lanka is likely only to abet his rise.
So nudging those numbers just a fraction of a percent could make you billions—and seriously rip off the rest of us.
Hillary just gave Barack a boost, nudging Israel to halt West Bank settlements.
President Obama saw his popularity fade, but scored a win by nudging the Senate to pass health care reform before Christmas.
Historical Examples of nudging
You, I mean,' he added, nudging Barnaby roughly with his elbow.
At this there was some pushing and nudging and indulgent whispering.
"Morrisson, your honour," said a ragged ruffian, nudging me by the elbow.
Some in the group espied my approach, and there was a nudging of elbows.
"You don't believe me," said the old man, nudging him again.
British Dictionary definitions for nudging- 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 nudgingn.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
