nervy

adjective

ˈnər-vē 

nervier; nerviest

1

archaic : sinewy, strong

2

a

: showing or expressive of calm courage : bold

b

: marked by effrontery or presumption : brash

3

: excitable, nervous

nervily

ˈnər-və-lē 

adverb

nerviness

ˈnər-vē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• arch
• audacious
• bold
• bold-faced
• brash
• brassbound
• brassy
• brazen
• brazen-faced
• cheeky
• cocksure
• cocky
• fresh
• impertinent
• impudent
• insolent
• sassy
• saucy
• wise

Examples of nervy in a Sentence

a nervy performance in the play-offs

a nervy film director who's not afraid to take risks

The passengers were restless and nervy after the long flight.

Too much coffee makes me nervy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Their insights offered a blend of critical feedback and encouragement to the palpably nervy students. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 9 May 2024

But that group mostly defended well on Saturday, save for a few nervy moments with so many players shifted around in the lineup. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 5 May 2024

His brisk, nervy lines are reminiscent of Egon Schiele or Francis Bacon, who turns out to be one of his favorite painters. —Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024

And when Utah State (27-6) started fouling just inside three minutes to go – no doubt watching the parade of clanked free throws the day before in a nervy quarterfinal win against UNLV– the Aztecs calmly stepped up and made them. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nervy

adjective

ˈnər-vē 

nervier; nerviest

1

a

: showing calm courage : fearless

b

: rudely bold

a nervy salesperson

2

: excitable sense 1, nervous

nerviness noun