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

“We used Mother Earth's gravity to nudge us to the Moon. It took us weeks and a lot of resourceful planning. Isro has mastered this and done it successfully so many times.”

From BBC

That can nudge them over the edge.

From Los Angeles Times

“We thought maybe we could nudge them on Palestine,” Abdulaziz explained.

From Slate

But an ad like that could define the last week of the race, and give those last few persuadable voters the nudge they need.

From Slate