nervy

[ nur-vee ]

adjective

, nerv·i·er, nerv·i·est.

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.

nervy

/ ˈnɜːvɪ /

adjective

1. informal.
   tense or apprehensive
2. having or needing bravery or endurance
3. informal.
   brash or cheeky
4. archaic.
   muscular; sinewy

Derived Forms

• ˈnervily, adverb
• ˈnerviness, noun

Other Words From

• nervi·ly adverb
• nervi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nervy¹

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

Example Sentences

But if you listen to the score, right from the opening moments composer Umberto Smerilli makes a bold declaration about what kind of movie it is: nervy, tempestuous, winking and just a little bit melodramatic.

From Los Angeles Times

The Dodgers’ final step there was Sunday’s nervy game, in which the team jumped to a 6-1 lead before hanging on down the stretch.

From Los Angeles Times

Stark and Pedersen had picked up Europe's solitary point in the morning with a nervy victory that went down to the 18th hole, despite them being four up after five holes.

From BBC

There were some nervy moments early on for the Dodgers.

From Los Angeles Times

The longtime teammates kept each other calm during a nervy meet.

From Los Angeles Times