nervous

[ nur-vuhs ]

adjective

1. highly excitable; unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive:

   to become nervous under stress.

   Synonyms: timorous, timid, tense, neurotic, anxious

   Antonyms: bold, confident

2. of or relating to the nerves:

   nervous tension.

3. affecting the nerves:

   nervous diseases.

4. experiencing, characterized by, or originating in a nervous system disorder.
5. characterized by or attended with acute uneasiness or apprehension:

   a nervous moment for us all.

6. having or containing nerves.
7. sinewy or strong.
8. Archaic. vigorous or spirited.

nervous

/ ˈnɜːvəs /

adjective

1. very excitable or sensitive; highly strung
2. often foll by of apprehensive or worried

   I'm nervous of traffic

3. of, relating to, or containing nerves; neural

   nervous tissue

4. affecting the nerves or nervous tissue

   a nervous disease

5. archaic.
   active, vigorous, or forceful

Derived Forms

• ˈnervousness, noun
• ˈnervously, adverb

Other Words From

• nerv·ous·ly adverb
• nerv·ous·ness noun
• non·ner·vous adjective
• non·ner·vous·ly adverb
• o·ver·nerv·ous adjective
• o·ver·nerv·ous·ly adverb
• sem·i·nerv·ous adjective
• sem·i·nerv·ous·ly adverb
• un·nerv·ous adjective
• un·nerv·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of nervous¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin nervōsus “sinewy,” equivalent to nerv(us) nerve + -ōsus -ous

Example Sentences

Up until recently, habituation -- a simple form of learning -- was deemed the exclusive domain of complex organisms with brains and nervous systems, such as worms, insects, birds, and mammals.

From Science Daily

Opponents and economists said that by striking down the proposed minimum-wage increase, voters signaled that they were nervous about businesses raising prices to offset their added labor expenses.

From Los Angeles Times

When pain signals are passed along the nervous system, proteins called calcium channels play a key role.

From Science Daily

The prince plays the part of a nervous customer as he faces the prospect of getting a first tattoo from US singer Jelly Roll.

From BBC

This is the project I’m most nervous to see.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afraid
• agitated
• annoyed
• apprehensive
• concerned
• edgy
• fussy
• hesitant
• hysterical
• irritable
• jittery
• jumpy
• shaky
• shy
• skittish
• spooked
• tense
• timid
• uneasy
• uptight