noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

nerve

nurv

Nerve (noun) means a fiber-like bundle in the body that carries signals between the brain and other parts of the body. Example: “The surgeon worked carefully to avoid damaging the nerve.”

noun

A fiber-like bundle in the body that carries signals between the brain and other parts of the body.

"The surgeon worked carefully to avoid damaging the nerve."

Courage or boldness, especially in a difficult or risky situation.

"It took a lot of nerve to speak up in that meeting."

"She finally found the nerve to ask for a raise."

Nervousness or anxious tension, especially before something stressful (often plural: "nerves").

"His nerves were shot before the final exam."

verb

To give someone courage or strength to face something difficult.

"He nerved himself for the difficult conversation ahead."

How to Use Nerve

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the biological fiber that carries signals in the body, or the courage/anxiety associated with the same word.

Common mistake

"Nerve" as courage ("he's got some nerve") and "nerves" as anxiety are opposite-feeling but closely related uses — context tells them apart.

Common pairings

get on someone's nerves lose your nerve nerve-wracking a bundle of nerves

Word Forms

nerved past tense, nerves plural, nerves singular

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The surgeon worked carefully to avoid damaging the _____.

Etymology

From Latin nervus ("sinew, nerve"), via Medieval Latin. A doublet of "sinew" and "neuron."

Origin: Medieval Latin

Synonyms

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courage boldness guts audacity pluck backbone

Related Words

fear balls infrastructure courage Stones ellen fiber cheek

Rhymes for nerve

serve swerve deserve observe reserve preserve conserve

See all rhymes for nerve →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “nerve” mean?

The word “nerve” means a fiber-like bundle in the body that carries signals between the brain and other parts of the body. In plain terms, either the biological fiber that carries signals in the body, or the courage/anxiety associated with the same word.

How do you pronounce “nerve”?

“Nerve” is pronounced nurv (/nɝv/ in IPA).

How do you use “nerve” in a sentence?

Here is “nerve” used in a sentence: “The surgeon worked carefully to avoid damaging the nerve.”

What part of speech is “nerve”?

Depending on how it is used, “nerve” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “nerve” come from?

The word “nerve” comes from Medieval Latin. From Latin nervus ("sinew, nerve"), via Medieval Latin. A doublet of "sinew" and "neuron.".

Is “nerve” a common word?

“Nerve” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “nerve” have?

“Nerve” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fiber-like bundle in the body that carries signals between the brain and other parts of the body.

What is the difference between a 'nerve' and a 'vein'?

A nerve is a fiber-like bundle that carries signals between the brain and other parts of the body. A vein is a blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart, so the two serve completely different functions despite both running through the body.

Does 'nerve' mean courage or rudeness?

It can mean either, depending on context. 'She had the nerve to speak up' praises courage or boldness, while 'He had the nerve to ask for more' implies cheek or audacity that the speaker disapproves of.

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