noun Uncommon

nerd

nurd

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Nerd (noun) means someone who is highly intelligent or studious but socially awkward or introverted. Example: “He was the classic nerd in school, always buried in a book.”

noun

Someone who is highly intelligent or studious but socially awkward or introverted.

"He was the classic nerd in school, always buried in a book."

"The other children called him a nerd because he preferred the library to the playground."

"She worried that people would see her as a nerd if she answered every question."

Someone with an intense, obsessive passion for a particular subject or hobby.

"She's a total nerd about vintage synthesizers."

"My brother is a huge comic-book nerd."

"I am a proper nerd when it comes to train timetables."

How to use nerd

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone deeply into intellectual or niche interests — once an insult, now often worn with pride.

When to use it

Once purely an insult, now frequently used affectionately or as a badge of honor (e.g. "movie nerd," "tech nerd").

Easily confused with

dork →

Common pairings

total nerd proud nerd nerd culture

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: nerds

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He was the classic _____ in school, always buried in a book.

Etymology

Origin uncertain — first recorded in 1951 as US student slang. The word appeared a year earlier in Dr. Seuss's If I Ran the Zoo as the name of a fictional creature, which may have helped popularize it.

· First attested 1951

Class of 1951 nerd joined the language around 1951.

kimura

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Synonyms

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geek brainiac bookworm egghead grind swot wonk dweeb

Related words

look brain wonder fan labour labor bone genius

Rhymes for nerd

herd

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Frequently asked questions

What does “nerd” mean?

The word “nerd” means someone who is highly intelligent or studious but socially awkward or introverted. In plain terms, someone deeply into intellectual or niche interests — once an insult, now often worn with pride.

How do you pronounce “nerd”?

“Nerd” is pronounced nurd (/nɝːd/ in IPA).

How do you use “nerd” in a sentence?

Here is “nerd” used in a sentence: “He was the classic nerd in school, always buried in a book.”

What part of speech is “nerd”?

“Nerd” is a noun.

Where does the word “nerd” come from?

The word “nerd” dates back to around 1951. Origin uncertain — first recorded in 1951 as US student slang. The word appeared a year earlier in Dr. Seuss's If I Ran the Zoo as the name of a fictional creature, which may have helped popularize it.

Is “nerd” a common word?

“Nerd” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “nerd” have?

“Nerd” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who is highly intelligent or studious but socially awkward or introverted.

What is the difference between a nerd and a geek?

The two words overlap heavily, but nerd traditionally emphasizes high intelligence or studiousness combined with social awkwardness, while geek often emphasizes intense enthusiasm for a specific subject or hobby. In casual modern usage, however, many people use the two terms interchangeably.

Is calling someone a nerd an insult or a compliment?

It depends on tone and context. Nerd was once used mainly as a mild insult for someone socially awkward, but it is now frequently used affectionately or even as a badge of pride among people who are passionate about a subject.

Can nerd be used for any subject, or just science and technology?

Nerd can apply to obsessive passion for almost any subject, not just science or technology. People describe themselves as a "movie nerd," a "history nerd," or a "grammar nerd" to mean they have deep, enthusiastic knowledge in that particular area.

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