nerd

noun

\ ˈnərd

Definition of nerd

: an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person especially : one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits computer nerds … single-minded math and science nerds … — Anna Quindlen

Other Words from nerd Synonyms Of Nerds, Geeks, and Dorks More Example Sentences Learn More about nerd

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Other Words from nerd

nerdiness \ ˈnər-dē-nəs

\ noun

nerdish \ ˈnər-dish

\ adjective

nerdy \ ˈnər-dē

\ adjective

Synonyms for nerd

Synonyms

bookworm, dink [slang], dork [slang], geek, grind, swot [British], weenie, wonk

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. Geek became synonymous with nerd in the 1950s. Prior to this, the word 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

There's a lot that's new about the latest version, known to BMW nerds as the G20. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "BMW’s all-new 3 Series goes on sale 2019, starting at $40,200," 2 Oct. 2018 Toys for your nerds-in-training American Science & Surplus in Milwaukee is the hub for the local maker community. — Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "50 top holiday gifts for kids (and adults), recommended by local, independent toy stores," 7 Dec. 2017 He most recently popped up in larger nerd culture by helping bring a one-of-a-kind Nintendo PlayStation system back to life. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Hacker Ben Heck is back to fix the flawed Neo-Geo Mini," 20 Nov. 2018 SyFy New York Comic Con is one of nerd culture’s biggest celebrations. — Alex Abad-santos, Vox, "Watch: the biggest movie and TV trailers released at New York Comic Con," 6 Oct. 2018 Picture a stereotypical nerd in a television show or movie. — Kate Gardner, SELF, "Please Stop Giving All Nerdy Pop Culture Characters Asthma," 24 Aug. 2018 This ornery golf nerd might be the best thing that’s happened to the game. — Roy Bragg, San Antonio Express-News, "SA native Reed is the same golf nerd he always was," 10 Apr. 2018 Like the Apatovian feminist raunch, 30 Rock peddled female-forward humor men could understand — woman as spinster, catty, self-deprecating; woman as cheese-loving nerd. — Allison P. Davis, The Cut, "Kay Cannon ponders the dilemma of making the big-budget comedy more feminist.," 1 Apr. 2018 There are diagrams and occasional flourishes of whimsy that reveal Huggins’s roots in the Ohio River Valley and his identity as a true basketball nerd. — Dave Clark, Cincinnati.com, "Huggins wrote nine instructional books at UC," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nerd.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.