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 & Antonyms 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

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

Famously — famous is the wrong word — famously for nerds like you and me, [he] was interested in MySpace, or his team was interested in MySpace. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "‘The King of Content’ author Keach Hagey talks with Peter Kafka about Sumner Redstone’s crazy life," 28 June 2018 From Vitsoe chairs and shelves to Braun watches, the legendary designer’s work is still a purchasable mainstay for design nerds with money. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "You can score vintage Dieter Rams designs at auction next month," 27 June 2018 And for literary nerds, there is a narrative voice shift midway through that amps up the suspense level in an unexpected but completely welcome manner. — Rachel King, Fortune, "Eight Business Books That Are Actually Great Summer Beach Reads," 26 June 2018 Stephanopoulos pleaded with Quinto to get him out of the nerd jam but to no avail. — Ryan Parker, The Hollywood Reporter, "Zachary Quinto Teases George Stephanopoulos for 'Star Wars' Spock Mix-Up," 12 July 2018 Which is to say that Koepka is far from a golf nerd. — Stephanie Apstein, SI.com, "With Two U.S. Opens in His Bag, Brooks Koepka Still Wants to Be the Underdog," 3 July 2018 Buy Photo Cool nerds from across the region convened Sunday for a first-of-its-kind carnival for start-ups in Philadelphia. — Joseph N. Distefano, Philly.com, "Philly's first Maker Faire: a summer carnival of innovation," 24 June 2018 Claire and Owen, but also military vet Zia (Daniella Pineda) and computer nerd Franklin (Justice Smith)—running away from cool-looking explosions while enormous dinosaurs stampede all around them. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "We’re Going to Need a Bigger Island," 22 June 2018 Hardwick founded Nerdist in 2008 as a go-to source for nerd news and all things geek from comics to video games. — Brittany Shoot, Fortune, "Chris Hardwick Erased From Nerdist Site After Chloe Dykstra's Sexual Abuse Claim," 15 June 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.