name
Uncommon
Nigel
NYD-zhuhl
Nigel (name) means a male given name of British usage, derived through Latin from a word meaning "black.". Example: “Nigel was the only one in his class with that name.”
name
1
A male given name of British usage, derived through Latin from a word meaning "black."
"It might come as some small comfort to Nigel Farage to discover that it’s not just those on his side of the Brexit debate who have fallen victim to potential ‘debanking’."
— Steerpike, Has Gina Miller also fallen victim to ‘debanking’? (2023)
"Nigel was the only one in his class with that name."
noun
1
Slang for a socially awkward or unfashionable person, similar to "nerd" or "dweeb."
"He's such a Nigel, hanging around in the library all day by himself."
"They teased him for being such a Nigel about the rules of the board game."
How to use Nigel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMainly a British first name, though informally it can also mean a socially awkward person.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Nigels
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Etymology
From Latin "Nigellus," a diminutive of "niger" meaning "black," originally used to Latinize the Norman name Néel and the Irish name Neil.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Nigel” mean?
The word “Nigel” means a male given name of British usage, derived through Latin from a word meaning "black.". In plain terms, mainly a British first name, though informally it can also mean a socially awkward person.
How do you pronounce “Nigel”?
“Nigel” is pronounced NYD-zhuhl (/ˈnaɪd͡ʒəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Nigel” in a sentence?
Here is “Nigel” used in a sentence: “Nigel was the only one in his class with that name.”
What is another word for “Nigel”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Nigel” include Nigel no friends, Nigel no mates and Nige.
What part of speech is “Nigel”?
Depending on how it is used, “Nigel” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Nigel” come from?
The word “Nigel” comes from Latin. From Latin "Nigellus," a diminutive of "niger" meaning "black," originally used to Latinize the Norman name Néel and the Irish name Neil.
Is “Nigel” a common word?
“Nigel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Nigel” have?
“Nigel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male given name of British usage, derived through Latin from a word meaning "black.".
Why is Nigel used as slang for a socially awkward person?
Nigel is used as slang for a socially awkward or unfashionable person, similar to nerd or dweeb, drawing on stereotypes associated with the traditional British given name. This informal usage is separate from its primary function as a personal name.
Is Nigel a common name in the United States?
Nigel is a male given name of British usage, so it is more commonly associated with the United Kingdom than the United States, though it is used internationally. Its origin traces through Latin from a word meaning black.
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