plural nerds
1
: a person devoted to intellectual, academic, or technical pursuits or interests
This book is essential reading for every hacker, computer nerd, systems analyst, middle manager or computer-store browser enamored of computer wizardry.William Stockton
He's happy to be thought of as a nerd with street cred. He [Neil deGrasse Tyson] shines best in impromptu settings like talk shows or needling cosmologists at the annual Asimov debates … about nothingness or alternate universes.Dennis Overbye
Will a dab of Shakespeare daintily perfume my wit or just sound like the literary belching of a compulsive nerd?Gary Taylor
also : a person preoccupied with or devoted to a particular activity or field of interest
At college she was a theater nerd. … "I wasn't afraid to jam, with the windows down, to Phantom of the Opera," she [Kristen Bell] says. Troy Patterson
Working beside him is his partner, Ron Johnson, another self-described snow nerdDavid Quammen
2
: an unstylish or socially awkward person
[Sitcom character Steven Q.] Urkel is loaded with everything in the nerd's bag of tics: suspenders, spectacles, squeaks, snorts, and scrawniness.Shelley Levitt
nerdiness noun
With his brother Hank he heads a YouTube channel with 2 million subscribers and an organization … that advances social causes and generally celebrates nerdiness. Lev Grossman
nerdish adjective
… a nerdish type in one corner was madly tapping the keys of a laptop computer. Ian Stewart
nerdy adjective
He and his two pals aren't even nerdy enough to join the debate team or the science club, but they dote on superhero comic books. Richard Alleva

Did you know?

Of Nerds, Geeks, and Dorks

Dork, when used to refer to a socially awkward or inept person, is a relatively recent word: our records indicate that it first appeared in writing in the 1960s. Two of its synonyms in this sense are likewise of fairly recent vintage. Nerd (typically used of a studious species of dork) dates from the 1950s; it was coined by Dr. Seuss in his 1950 book If I Ran the Zoo, although not in the sense that we use today. The usage of nerd is now often used in a neutral fashion to denote enthusiasm or expertise (theater nerd) or proudly as a self-identifying trait (word nerd). Geek became synonymous with nerd in the 1950s and has similarly seen increasing use with positive connotations, showing membership in a specialized group (film geek, beer geek) rather than social awkwardness. In its earliest meanings, geek referred to, among other things, a carnival performer who would bite the head off a live chicken, or other small animal, as part of an act.

Examples of nerd in a Sentence

He dresses like a nerd. was such a nerd in college that she spent Saturday nights at the library
Recent Examples on the Web By the end of Sunday’s dinner service, Balthazar and Minetta Tavern had given half-price meals to some 300 movie nerds from the Roxy. Alex Vadukul, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 For 30 years, scores of car buffs, aviation nerds and bikers have revved their engines and set out for for the annual show each spring, which also serves as a fundraiser for the Coastside Adult Day Health Center. Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2024 But even the biggest Dune nerds may be surprised by how much more unyielding Chani is in the film. EW.com, 20 Feb. 2024 Look for a vibe highlighting ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia and nerd culture, along with food offerings such as burgers, pizza and wings. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2024 Name Barry Kerch, drummer for Shinedown Best known for Being a father, husband, and super nerd. Liza Lentini, SPIN, 16 Feb. 2024 With states collaborating like this on heat pumps, the idea is to lift the device from an obscure technology cherished by climate nerds into ubiquity, for the good of consumers and the planet. Matt Simon, WIRED, 7 Feb. 2024 Glover and Erskine—two hot nerds with comedy roots—render their characters believably prickly, awkward, and tender by turns. Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Join a virtual community that speaks to your interests—Geek Girl Strong, for instance, merges nerd culture with wellness—and make sure to keep it fun, Warren says. Christa Sgobba, SELF, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nerd.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from nerd, a creature in the children's book If I Ran the Zoo (1950) by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of nerd was in 1951

Dictionary Entries Near nerd

Cite this Entry

“Nerd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerd. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nerd

noun
1
: an unstylish, unattractive, or socially awkward person
2
: a person slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits
nerdy adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on nerd

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