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

• arch
• audacious
• bold
• bold-faced
• brash
• brassbound
• brassy
• brazen
• brazen-faced
• cheeky
• cocksure
• cocky
• fresh
• impertinent
• impudent
• insolent
• sassy
• saucy
• wise

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

In a gritty, nervy, ultimately joyous blowout performance, the Magic routed the Atlanta Hawks 120-95 in a Play-In game, officially punching their ticket to the playoffs. —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2025

His Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose had been quietly tearing up the course with six birdies on the second nine, storming back into contention from seven shots behind, meaning that McIlroy had to now navigate a nervy playoff. —Don Riddell, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2025

So much of the verisimilitude and the nervy emotion of The Pitt is owed to the sound of silence. —Jeremy D. Larson, Pitchfork, 11 Apr. 2025

Milenkovic converted one of those to make it 4-2 in the 63rd minute before Yates ensured a nervy finish in the 90th. —Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025

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