nod
to make a slight, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command.
to let the head fall slightly forward with a sudden, involuntary movement when sleepy.
to doze, especially in a sitting position: The speaker was so boring that half the audience was nodding.
to become careless, inattentive, or listless; make an error or mistake through lack of attention.
(of trees, flowers, plumes, etc.) to droop, bend, or incline with a swaying motion.
to bend (the head) in a short, quick downward movement, as of assent or greeting.
to express or signify by such a movement of the head: to nod approval; to nod agreement.
to summon, bring, or send by a nod of the head.
to cause (something) to lean or sway; incline.
a short, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command, or because of drowsiness.
a brief period of sleep; nap.
a bending or swaying movement.
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.
a nomination, as for an office or award: It looks like he’s locked up the party’s nod for governor. The film has received critical praise and two Oscar nods.
nod off, to fall asleep or doze, especially in a sitting position: He was reprimanded for nodding off in class.
nod out, Slang. to fall asleep, especially owing to the effects of a drug.
Idioms about nod
get the nod, to get approval; be selected, recognized, etc.: We’ve gotten the nod from the administration to hire two assistant professors.He got the nod as starting pitcher for the Phillies.
give the nod, to give an indication of approval, recognition, etc.: 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.
on the nod,
British Slang. on credit.
Slang. drowsy following a dose of a narcotic drug.
Origin of nod
1Other words for nod
Other words from nod
- nod·der, noun
- nod·ding·ly, adverb
- un·nod·ding, adjective
Words Nearby nod
Other definitions for Nod (2 of 2)
the land east of Eden where Cain went to dwell. Genesis 4:16.
Origin of Nod
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use nod in a sentence
“Rowing is good for the stomach also,” Dubey says with a nod and a pat of his belly.
With a nod to the Maverick, the university mascot, students were grouped into small pods called “mavilies.”
How 5 universities tried to handle COVID-19 on campus | Betsy Ladyzhets | February 23, 2021 | Science NewsBeal 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.
Wizards guard Bradley Beal earns first NBA All-Star Game starting nod | Ava Wallace | February 19, 2021 | Washington PostThe name is a nod to Laughlin’s uniform number during his playing days with the Capitals from 1982 to 1988.
Craig Laughlin will soon have a hat trick of beer collaborations, all for a good cause | Scott Allen | February 18, 2021 | Washington PostThe 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.”
I lie and nod my head yes while wiping the tears on my gray fleece sleeve.
I would nod, and we'd tell the St. Regis 'One more night, please.'
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI nod, and he rolls his eyes in the direction of the bathroom.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTShe set a career nominations record with her 21st nod—all in the TV fields—for Best Actress in a Comedy for Nurse Jackie.
Jennifer Aniston, Oscar Nominee? 5 Takeaways from the 2015 SAG Award Nominations | Kevin Fallon | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“In the past, my goal was to have you scratch your head and then maybe nod it,” she says.
The nod of assent was given, and the permission put in force with hearty good will.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousBy the time this story was finished, the company gathered around the fire began to nod their heads.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin | Mary Hazelton WadeShe gave him a cavalier little nod, touched her horse with the whip, and a moment later was lost in a cloud of dust.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonGwynne accepted this act of sacrifice with a matter-of-fact nod, and it was but a moment later that they came upon another flock.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonHe eyed Bumble askance as he entered, but scarcely deigned to nod his head in acknowledgment of his salutation.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles Dickens
British Dictionary definitions for nod
/ (nɒd) /
to lower and raise (the head) briefly, as to indicate agreement, invitation, etc
(tr) to express or indicate by nodding: she nodded approval
(tr) to bring or direct by nodding: she nodded me towards the manager's office
(intr) (of flowers, trees, etc) to sway or bend forwards and back
(intr) to let the head fall forward through drowsiness; be almost asleep: the old lady sat nodding by the fire
(intr) to be momentarily inattentive or careless: even Homer sometimes nods
nodding acquaintance a slight, casual, or superficial knowledge (of a subject or a person)
a quick down-and-up movement of the head, as in assent, command, etc: she greeted him with a nod
a short sleep; nap: See also land of Nod
a swaying motion, as of flowers, etc, in the wind
on the nod informal
agreed, as in a committee meeting, without any formal procedure
(formerly) on credit
the nod boxing informal the award of a contest to a competitor on the basis of points scored
Origin of nod
1Derived forms of nod
- nodding, adjective, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with nod
In addition to the idiom beginning with nod
- nodding acquaintance
- nod off
also see:
- get the nod
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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