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definitions

nudge

1
[ nuhj ]
/ nʌdʒ /
||
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.

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RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

  1. nuddy,
  2. nude,
  3. nude descending a staircase,
  4. nude mouse,
  5. nudely,
  6. nudgy,
  7. nudi-,
  8. nudibranch,
  9. nudibranchiate,
  10. nudicaudate

Origin of nudge

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

nudge

2

or noodge, nudzh

[ noo j ]
/ 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for nudging

British Dictionary definitions for nudging

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 Formsnudger, 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
Word Origin and History for nudging
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper