nerve

1 of 2

noun

1
: sinew, tendon
strain every nerve
2
: any of the filamentous bands of nervous tissue that connect parts of the nervous system with the other organs, conduct nerve impulses, and are made up of axons and dendrites together with protective and supportive structures
3
a
: power of endurance or control : fortitude, strength
b
: assurance, boldness
also : presumptuous audacity : gall
4
a
: a sore or sensitive point
her remark touched a nerve
b
nerves plural : nervous agitation or irritability : nervousness
a case of nerves
5
6
: the sensitive pulp of a tooth

nerve

2 of 2

verb

nerved; nerving

transitive verb

: to give strength or courage to : supply with physical or moral force
Choose the Right Synonym for nerve

temerity, audacity, hardihood, effrontery, nerve, cheek, gall, chutzpah mean conspicuous or flagrant boldness.

temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery.

the nerve of that guy
has the cheek to call herself a singer
had the gall to demand proof
the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Examples of nerve in a Sentence

Noun The optic nerve in the eye allows you to see. a condition affecting the nerves in her arm It takes a lot of nerve to start a new career. He found the nerve to stand up to his boss. I was going to ask her to the dance, but I lost my nerve. You have a lot of nerve to talk to me that way. I can't believe she had the nerve to call me a liar. Verb needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
With his fighting career in flux, McGregor has turned his attention to sparring with people on social media, which has touched a nerve in Ireland’s political establishment. Caolán Magee, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to dangerous health complications, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), heart disease, nerve damage, and stroke. Amanda MacMillan, Health, 9 Mar. 2024 According to the Mayo Clinic, Parkinson's is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system as well as parts of the body controlled by the nerves. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 4 Mar. 2024 Clarke had severed a nerve and got hand surgery the next day. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 4 Mar. 2024 Most people fully recover over time, but some sustain permanent nerve damage. Helen Branswell, STAT, 29 Feb. 2024 Much like Duncan-Brewster, Momoa had some nerves going into Dune: Part One. Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 An imposing stranger with a piratical nerve, this dangerous and calculating outdoorsman appears to test the Pogues. Joe Otterson, Variety, 29 Feb. 2024 Since its publication earlier this month, the non-profit’s research has struck a nerve on social media, as users highlighted the sheer candidness of the insiders’ quotes cited in the report. Popular Science, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nerve.' 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

Noun

Latin nervus sinew, nerve; akin to Greek neuron sinew, nerve, nēn to spin — more at needle

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1750, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nerve was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near nerve

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

nerve

1 of 2 noun
1
: tendon
strain every nerve
2
: one of the stringy bands of nervous tissue connecting the nervous system with other organs and carrying nerve impulses
3
a
: power of endurance or control
a test of mind and nerve
b
: fearless boldness
had the nerve to confront the mysterious stranger
c
: behavior marked by a rude or disrespectful boldness
what nerve of her to say that
4
a
: a sore or sensitive point
that remark hit a nerve
b
plural : a condition of being very nervous : jitters
had a case of the nerves before her performance
5
: a vein in a leaf or in the wing of an insect
6
: the sensitive soft inner part of a tooth
nerved
ˈnərvd
adjective

nerve

2 of 2 verb
nerved; nerving
: to give strength or courage to

Medical Definition

nerve

noun
1
: any of the filamentous bands of nervous tissue that connect parts of the nervous system with the other organs, conduct nerve impulses, and are made up of axons and dendrites together with protective and supportive structures and that for the larger nerves have the fibers gathered into funiculi surrounded by a perineurium and the funiculi enclosed in a common epineurium
2
nerves plural : a state or condition of nervous agitation or irritability
3
: the sensitive pulp of a tooth

More from Merriam-Webster on nerve

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