nervy

American  

[nur-vee] / ˈnɜr vi /

adjective

nervier, nerviest

1. brashly presumptuous or insolent; pushy.

   a nervy thing to say; a nervy trick to pull.

2. having or showing courage; brave or bold.

   the nervy feats of the mountaineers.

3. strong; sinewy; vigorous.

   a hard, nervy physique.

4. Chiefly British. straining one's patience or forbearance; trying.

5. nervous; excitable; on edge.

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nervy British  

/ ˈnɜːvɪ /

adjective

1. informal tense or apprehensive

2. having or needing bravery or endurance

3. informal brash or cheeky

4. archaic muscular; sinewy

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Other Word Forms

• nervily
  adverb
• nerviness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of nervy

First recorded in 1600–10; nerve + -y ¹

Explanation

If you're nervy, you're so outspoken and brave that you're almost rude. A nervy student isn't afraid to ask even the grouchiest teacher to explain why he's giving so much homework on a Friday. You can use nervy to simply mean "brave," but it usually carries the implication of being a bit of a smart aleck. Your nervy questions at a job interview might be seen as refreshingly straightforward, or simply cheeky and impudent. Sometimes nervy instead means "nervous," like a nervy tightrope walker who trembles and shakes with fear, but this meaning is more common in Britain than in the U.S.

Example Sentences

Kai Havertz's headed first-half goal proved enough despite a nervy second half, during which the goalscorer escaped a red card for a late challenge.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

"It's going to be so nervy," he said.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

The Lakers already won two nervy road games over the Rockets during the regular season.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

Making us feel less nervy about the future would be the fastest way to get us back on track in the short run.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

“Of course not. But I’ve attended these coroner’s inquests before, and it’s so easy to get nervy and irritable. You don’t want to put the fellow’s back up.”

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier