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 of nervy

• wise
• cheeky
• bold
• cocky
• impudent
• brazen
• brassy
• fresh
• saucy
• sassy
• defiant
• insolent
• cocksure
• blunt
• assertive
• audacious
• brash
• impertinent

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

The goal followed multiple key saves from Dobes, twice denying Zach Benson, as the Canadiens fended off a Sabres pushback that included a nervy penalty kill early in the period. —ABC News, 10 May 2026

By the time Tim Darcy and Ben Stidworthy’s previous band, Ought, came to an end in 2021, the Montreal group had morphed from nervy, scrappy post-punk to grandiose art rock. —David Glickman, Pitchfork, 7 May 2026

Villa are vulnerable and the home crowd will be nervy on Thursday. —Tottenham Hotspur, New York Times, 3 May 2026

Noonan plays Michael in the film with a quiet watchfulness that contrasts Jackie’s nervy, open wound of a woman played with emotive genius by Karen Sillas. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nervy

• curvy
• scurvy

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