nudge

¹

[ nuhj ]

verb (used with object)

, nudged, nudg·ing.

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

   Synonyms: jog, poke, elbow

verb (used without object)

, nudged, nudg·ing.

1. to give a nudge.

noun

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

nudge

²

or noodge, nudzh

[ nooj ]

verb (used with object)

, nudged, nudg·ing.

1. 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.

1. to nag, whine, or carp.

noun

1. a person who nudges; pest.

nudge

/ 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

noun

1. a gentle poke or push
2. a gentle reminder

Derived Forms

• ˈnudger, noun

Other Words From

• nudger noun

Word History and Origins

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; nudnik

Word History and Origins

Origin of nudge¹

C17: perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Icelandic nugga to push

Example Sentences

I've clung to the promise of democracy in the hope that small changes could nudge us there.

From Salon

Seemingly unable to catch live fish to eat, it charmed visitors by nudging at their cameras and even on one occasion returning a mobile phone.

From BBC

If you are interested in pitching a friend — or nudging your friend to pitch you — fill out this form to be considered for the live show.

From Los Angeles Times

The regulator decided, with nudges from government, that cash-strapped customers needed bills to be kept as low as possible.

From BBC

Replays of the incident also showed Silva backing in and nudging his Portugal international team-mate Sa as the corner came in.

From BBC

More About Nudge

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.”

Did you know … ?

A nudge can be an annoying push (e.g., The guy behind me in line kept nudging me with his elbow). Or, a nudge can be a friendly, gentle reminder, as in I couldn’t figure out what the right answer was so my teacher gave me a little nudge in the right direction.

Nudge has a homograph in the word nudge, pronounced [ nooj ] and sometimes spelled noodge or nudzh. This nudge, referring to nagging, comes from Yiddish and is related to the word nudnik, “a persistently dull, boring pest”—perhaps like that feller who won’t stop nudging you in line!

A physical nudge is typically done with the elbow. (Just ask our friend in line.) While you certainly could nudge someone with other body parts, we often use other similar words, such as poke, jab, punch, tap, slap, bump, pat, or even lick, for these actions.