nudge

¹ American  

[nuhj] / nʌdʒ /

verb (used with object)

nudged, nudging

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

   Synonyms:

   jog, poke, elbow

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verb (used without object)

nudged, nudging

1. to give a nudge.

noun

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

nudge ² American  

[nooj] / nʊdʒ /

Or noodge,

verb (used with object)

nudged, nudging

1. to annoy with persistent complaints, criticisms, or pleas; nag.

   He was always nudging his son to move to a better neighborhood.

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verb (used without object)

nudged, nudging

1. to nag, whine, or carp.

noun

1. a person who nudges; pest.

nudge British  

/ nʌdʒ /

verb

1. to push or poke (someone) gently, esp with the elbow, to get attention; jog

2. to push slowly or lightly

   as I drove out, I just nudged the gatepost

3. to give (someone) a gentle reminder or encouragement

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noun

1. a gentle poke or push

2. a gentle reminder

Usage

Where does the word nudge come from? As our definitions show above, nudge is a verb meaning "to push slightly or gently, specifically with an elbow when doing so literally, in order to get someone's attention or to prod someone along." A nudge is also a noun, meaning "a slight or gentle push or jog, especially with the elbow."But as far as we’re concerned, the origin of the word nudge could certainly stand to budge, as it's often considered obscure. However, we suspect nudge, found by 1665–75, comes from a dialectical variation of knidge or nidge, related to the Old English cnucian or cnocian, meaning "to knock." Every now and again, maybe a stubborn word origin just needs a little ... nudge. Nudge isn’t alone: it finds lots of company in other English words that seem simple but whose origins are not. Discover more in our slideshow “‘Dog,’ ‘Boy,’ And Other Words That We Don’t Know Where They Came From."

Other Word Forms

• nudger
  noun

Etymology

Origin of nudge¹

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

Origin of nudge²

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

Explanation

Sometimes you just need a little nudge or slight push to get your day going. It might be a coffee, or your favorite song, or your mom stripping the covers and standing over your bed. Take your pick. Some people believe the word nudge comes from the Norwegian dialect nugga meaning "to push, rub." This makes sense, since a nudge is a push of sorts. But it's more of a gentle push. Think of nudging coals around in a fire or a crowd of people nudging to the stage at a concert. When you gently annoy your husband so he'll mow the lawn, you're nudging him along.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nudge nudged nudging

Last year, Kate Spade overhauled its approach to what it now calls the “selling ceremony,” an experience between in-store shoppers and the sales associates who can nudge them into making a purchase.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

Investors had worried that accelerating price increases would nudge policymakers at the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates this year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Every nudge he gives is seized on in public, and in Whitehall's corridors of power.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

However, by Friday, it is possible temperatures could just nudge to 28C within Greater London and the Home Counties.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

“I’m pretty sure the first day is just a tour,” says Elsie, giving me a soft nudge with her elbow.

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

She nudged the anxious calf to her side and they trotted briskly away.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026

Henkel, meanwhile, nudged up its sales guidance for the year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

The company’s second-quarter results on Tuesday broadly topped Wall Street’s estimates, and management nudged its financial outlook higher for the year.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

They created two chances in the first half that should have been buried, but Pierre Landry Kabore shot straight at the keeper and Alexandros Kyziridis nudged his effort wide when one-on-one.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

Kamau nudged him forward before receding into the night.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Human matchmakers say that nudging their clients beyond a strict checklist of what they think they want is core to their practice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

She watched intently perched on a bench at the very front of the room, at times shrieking and nudging her sister as she pointed at the cafe’s new large flat-screen that loomed overhead.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026

While opinion polls suggested the vote could be tight, the latest surveys indicated opposition to the proposal nudging ahead.

From Barron's ● Jun. 14, 2026

Seoul is hoping Xi will play a mediator in this trip, nudging Pyongyang to resume dialogue with both Seoul and Washington.

From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026

“They’re shiny,” Newel said, nudging Doren with an elbow.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull