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: “A trapped nerve in her neck made it painful to turn her head.”
noun
1
A fiber-like bundle in the body that carries signals between the brain and other parts of the body.
"A trapped nerve in her neck made it painful to turn her head."
"Each nerve in the hand sends tiny signals to the brain when you touch something."
"The surgeon worked carefully to avoid damaging the nerve."
2
Courage or boldness, especially in a difficult or risky situation.
"He lost his nerve at the top of the diving board."
"It took a lot of nerve to speak up in that meeting."
"She finally found the nerve to ask for a raise."
3
Nervousness or anxious tension, especially before something stressful (often plural: "nerves").
"She tried deep breathing to calm her nerves before the job interview."
"I always get a bad case of nerves just before I go on stage."
"His nerves were shot before the final exam."
verb
1
To give someone courage or strength to face something difficult.
"She nerved herself to dive from the high board for the first time."
"A kind word from her coach nerved the young runner for the final lap."
"He nerved himself for the difficult conversation ahead."
How to use nerve
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- nerves
- Third person singular
- nerves
- Past tense
- nerved
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A trapped _____ in her neck made it painful to turn her head.
Etymology
From Latin nervus ("sinew, nerve"), via Medieval Latin. A doublet of "sinew" and "neuron."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for nerve
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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