nod

1 of 2

verb

ˈnäd 

nodded; nodding

intransitive verb

1

: to make a quick downward motion of the head whether deliberately (as in expressing assent or salutation) or involuntarily (as from drowsiness)

She nodded in agreement.

The guard nodded to us as we walked in.

He sat nodding by the fire.

2

: to incline or sway from the vertical as though ready to fall

signposts nodding in the wind

3

: to bend or sway the upper part gently downward or forward : bob gently

the plumes that nodded on his helmet

nodding flowers on long stems

4

: to make a slip or error in a moment of abstraction

… Fuentes nods, and his language then falls into … an overly learned mumbo-jumbo that stops the drama of his action.

—Robert Maurer

transitive verb

1

: to incline downward or forward

nodded his head in agreement

2

: to bring, invite, or send by a nod

nodded us in

3

: to signify by a nod

nodded their approval

nodder noun

nod

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or an instance of nodding

gave a nod of greeting

2

: an indication especially of approval or recognition

Synonyms

Verb

• bob
• bobble
• jog
• jounce
• pump
• seesaw
• wag

Examples of nod in a Sentence

Verb

She nodded when I asked her if she was ready.

I asked her if she could hear me, and she nodded her head.

“The bathroom is around the corner,” he said, nodding to the left.

She nodded toward the dirty dishes and said she would get to them later.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The menu nods, as well, to the Gulf Coast, to the Mediterranean, and to East and Southeast Asia, but the global pantries remain segregated dish by dish. —Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025

Peppiatt’s Irish-language film, riddled with expletives, hallucinogenics and baton twirling mischief, swept up at the British Independent Film Awards in December and on Wednesday, scored six BAFTA nods, including for best British film and outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025

Noun

The largest work is Lashed to the Mast, a nod to Odysseus’s plan to hear the sirens’ call without being lured to his death. —Grace Edquist, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025

Jerome earns a nod for his performance in American biographical sports drama by William Goldenberg. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English nodden; perhaps akin to Old High German hnotōn to shake

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nod

• get the nod
• give someone a nod
• give someone the nod
• nod off
• on the nod

Kids Definition

nod

1 of 2 verb

ˈnäd 

nodded; nodding

1

: to bend the head downward or forward (as in bowing or going to sleep or as a way of answering "yes")

2

: to move up and down

the tulips nodded in the breeze

3

: to show by a nod of the head

nod agreement

4

: to let one's attention roam for a moment and make an error

nodder noun

nod

2 of 2 noun

: the action of nodding