nod

¹

[ nod ]

verb (used without object)

, nod·ded, nod·ding.

1. to make a slight, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command.
2. to let the head fall slightly forward with a sudden, involuntary movement when sleepy.
3. to doze, especially in a sitting position:

   The speaker was so boring that half the audience was nodding.

   Synonyms: drowse

4. to become careless, inattentive, or listless; make an error or mistake through lack of attention.
5. (of trees, flowers, plumes, etc.) to droop, bend, or incline with a swaying motion.

verb (used with object)

, nod·ded, nod·ding.

1. to bend (the head) in a short, quick downward movement, as of assent or greeting.
2. to express or signify by such a movement of the head:

   to nod approval; to nod agreement.

3. to summon, bring, or send by a nod of the head.
4. to cause (something) to lean or sway; incline.

noun

1. a short, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command, or because of drowsiness.
2. a brief period of sleep; nap.
3. a bending or swaying movement.
4. a gesture or action indicating that someone or something has been approved, selected, recognized, etc.:

   The domed ceiling is a nod to traditional library reading rooms.

5. a nomination, as for an office or award: The film has received critical praise and two Oscar nods.

   It looks like he’s locked up the party’s nod for governor.

   The film has received critical praise and two Oscar nods.

verb phrase

1. Slang. to fall asleep, especially owing to the effects of a drug.
2. to fall asleep or doze, especially in a sitting position:

   He was reprimanded for nodding off in class.

Nod

²

[ nod ]

noun

1. (in the Bible) the land east of Eden where Cain went to dwell.
2. land of Nod ( def ).

nod

/ nɒd /

verb

1. to lower and raise (the head) briefly, as to indicate agreement, invitation, etc
2. tr to express or indicate by nodding

   she nodded approval

3. tr to bring or direct by nodding

   she nodded me towards the manager's office

4. intr (of flowers, trees, etc) to sway or bend forwards and back
5. intr to let the head fall forward through drowsiness; be almost asleep

   the old lady sat nodding by the fire

6. intr to be momentarily inattentive or careless

   even Homer sometimes nods

7. nodding acquaintance
   a slight, casual, or superficial knowledge (of a subject or a person)

noun

1. a quick down-and-up movement of the head, as in assent, command, etc

   she greeted him with a nod

2. a short sleep; nap See also land of Nod
3. a swaying motion, as of flowers, etc, in the wind
4. on the nod informal.
   1. agreed, as in a committee meeting, without any formal procedure
   2. (formerly) on credit
5. the nod informal.
   boxing the award of a contest to a competitor on the basis of points scored

Derived Forms

• ˈnodding, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• nod·der noun
• nod·ding·ly adverb
• un·nod·ding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nod¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English nodde, of uncertain origin

Origin of nod²

Ultimately from Hebrew Nōdh “wandering”

Word History and Origins

Origin of nod¹

C14 nodde, of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get the nod, to get approval; be selected, recognized, etc.: He got the nod as starting pitcher for the Phillies.

   We’ve gotten the nod from the administration to hire two assistant professors.

   He got the nod as starting pitcher for the Phillies.

2. give the nod, to give an indication of approval, recognition, etc.: It wasn’t till May that the company was given the nod to schedule the event.

   The board gave the nod to the new proposal.

   It wasn’t till May that the company was given the nod to schedule the event.

3. on the nod,
   1. British Slang. on credit.
   2. Slang. drowsy following a dose of a narcotic drug.

More idioms and phrases containing nod

In addition to the idiom beginning with nod , also see get the nod .

Example Sentences

“Rowing is good for the stomach also,” Dubey says with a nod and a pat of his belly.

From Ozy

With a nod to the Maverick, the university mascot, students were grouped into small pods called “mavilies.”

From Science News

Beal was named an all-star starter for the first time in his career Thursday, becoming the first Wizards player to earn a starting nod since John Wall in 2015.

From Washington Post

The name is a nod to Laughlin’s uniform number during his playing days with the Capitals from 1982 to 1988.

From Washington Post

The other big thing is that there are all of these nods to things that feel like pandemic life — reaching out for someone’s touch, and “sin city is cold and empty.”

From Vox

I lie and nod my head yes while wiping the tears on my gray fleece sleeve.

From The Daily Beast

I would nod, and we'd tell the St. Regis 'One more night, please.'

From The Daily Beast

I nod, and he rolls his eyes in the direction of the bathroom.

From The Daily Beast

She set a career nominations record with her 21st nod—all in the TV fields—for Best Actress in a Comedy for Nurse Jackie.

From The Daily Beast

“In the past, my goal was to have you scratch your head and then maybe nod it,” she says.

From The Daily Beast

The nod of assent was given, and the permission put in force with hearty good will.

From Project Gutenberg

By the time this story was finished, the company gathered around the fire began to nod their heads.

From Project Gutenberg

She gave him a cavalier little nod, touched her horse with the whip, and a moment later was lost in a cloud of dust.

From Project Gutenberg

Gwynne accepted this act of sacrifice with a matter-of-fact nod, and it was but a moment later that they came upon another flock.

From Project Gutenberg

He eyed Bumble askance as he entered, but scarcely deigned to nod his head in acknowledgment of his salutation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acknowledge
• bend
• bow
• greet
• respond
• salute