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

The bodega owner had to be able to rap, which wasn’t necessarily a common skill among aspiring Broadway stars at the time — but it was one Miranda had, in addition to a nervy, rangy stage presence that worked well with the show’s underdog energy.

From Vox

The nervy electricity and joy of the film, arriving at this moment in time, are an unbeatable combo.

From Vox

Nervy as men are made, MacRae worshiped at the shrine of an even break, a square deal for friend or foe.

From Project Gutenberg

He must be getting nervy, he thought, and continued his inspection of the wallet.

From Project Gutenberg

The magistrate of Esifeni was not a timid man, but the monotony of life at his remote post rather tended to make him “nervy.”

From Project Gutenberg

He was one of the gregarious sort, a loud talker, nervy really, very familiar with all the passengers.

From Project Gutenberg

Oh, ho, I see you are not as nervy as I thought, there was a mischievous glint in his merry black eyes.

From Project Gutenberg