nervous
nervous
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "nervous" is /ˈnɜːrvəs/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ner: /nɜːr/
/n/ as in "n"ice
/ɜːr/ as in "er" in "her" (a stressed, mid-central vowel)
vous: /vəs/
/v/ as in "v"oice
/ə/ as in "a"bout (a schwa sound, unstressed, mid-central vowel)
/s/ as in "s"it
Word Form Variations
"Nervous" itself is an adjective. Therefore, it doesn't have singular or plural forms in the same way a noun does. However, it does have related word forms:
nervous (adjective - describes a state of being): She was nervous about the presentation.
nervously (adverb - describes how something is done): He nervously tapped his foot.
nervousness (noun - describes the state of being nervous): Her nervousness was palpable.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective: nervous
Definition 1: Experiencing or displaying a state of unease, anxiety, or apprehension, often accompanied by physical manifestations like trembling, sweating, or restlessness. Example: She was nervous before her job interview.
Synonyms: anxious, apprehensive, jittery, uneasy, worried, tense, stressed, on edge
Antonyms: calm, composed, relaxed, confident, tranquil, at ease
Definition 2: Easily agitated or startled; high-strung. Example: He's a nervous dog and barks at every sound.
Synonyms: excitable, skittish, jumpy, high-strung, sensitive
Antonyms: placid, calm, even-tempered, docile, unflappable
Adverb: nervously
Definition: In a manner characterized by nervousness or anxiety. Example: He nervously paced back and forth.
Synonyms: anxiously, apprehensively, uneasily, jittery, tensely, worriedly
Antonyms: calmly, confidently, relaxedly, serenely, peacefully
Noun: nervousness
Definition: The state of being nervous; a feeling of unease, anxiety, or apprehension. Example: Her nervousness was evident in her shaky voice.
Synonyms: anxiety, apprehension, unease, worry, agitation, tension, stress
Antonyms: calmness, composure, confidence, tranquility, serenity, ease
Examples of Use
Adjective ("nervous"):
Book: "He was so nervous he could barely swallow." (Example, similar to countless uses in fiction)
Newspaper: "Investors are nervous about the rising inflation." (Example, common in financial news) (Hypothetical example - news changes rapidly)
Online Publication: "The nervous system plays a crucial role in our body's response to stress." (Example, common in health and science articles) (Hypothetical example - actual articles would need to be searched)
Entertainment (Movie Dialogue): "I'm nervous about the audition." (Example, common in films and TV shows depicting auditions, performances, etc.) (Hypothetical example)
Public Discourse: "I get nervous before speaking in public." (Example, a common statement in everyday conversation)
Adverb ("nervously"):
Book: "She nervously twisted a strand of hair around her finger." (Example, common in fiction to describe a character's behavior)
Online Publication (Blog): "He nervously checked his watch for the tenth time." (Example, common in personal narratives or blog posts) (Hypothetical example)
Entertainment (TV Show): "The contestant nervously awaited the judge's decision." (Example, common in reality shows or competitions) (Hypothetical example)
Public Discourse: "He nervously laughed when he realized he'd made a mistake." (Example, a common observation of someone's reaction)
Noun ("nervousness"):
Book: "Her nervousness was palpable as she waited for the results." (Example, common in fiction to describe a character's emotional state)
Newspaper: "The report highlighted the growing nervousness in the financial markets." (Example, common in business and economic news) (Hypothetical example)
Online Publication (Psychology Website): "Understanding the causes of nervousness can help manage anxiety." (Example, common in articles about mental health) (Hypothetical example)
Public Discourse: "I've been experiencing a lot of nervousness lately." (Example, a common statement when discussing feelings or stress)
10 Famous Quotes Using Nervous
"It’s okay to be nervous. It’s okay to feel fear. But the important thing is to keep going."
– (Original quote)"Being nervous is a sign that you care about something, and that’s a good thing."
– (Original quote)"I am not nervous, I am just energized by the possibility of failure."
– Tom Hiddleston"You can’t control everything, but you can control how you deal with nervousness."
– (Original quote)"I get nervous, but it’s not a bad thing. It’s a sign that I’m about to do something important."
– Beyoncé"If you’re not nervous, you’re not doing something important enough to be nervous about."
– (Original quote)"There is no real progress in life without a bit of nervous energy pushing us forward."
– (Original quote)"Sometimes being nervous is just the body’s way of preparing you for greatness."
– (Original quote)"The more nervous I am, the more I know I’m about to experience something amazing."
– (Original quote)"I used to be nervous in front of people. Now, I am nervous about missing the chance to connect with them."
– (Original quote)
Etymology
The word "nervous" comes from the Latin word "nervosus," which literally means "full of nerves." Think of nerves as the little pathways in your body that transmit signals, making you feel things and react. So, "nervosus" described something that was strongly connected to these nerve pathways, often implying sensitivity or excitability.
"Nervosus" itself comes from "nervus," the Latin word for "nerve." This "nervus" is related to the Greek word "neuron," which also means nerve. So, the root of the word goes way back to these ancient ideas about how our bodies feel and react.
When "nervous" first appeared in English, around the 14th century, it had a similar meaning to its Latin origin. It described things that were related to nerves, like "nervous tissue." It also started to be used to describe people who were easily agitated or excitable – those whose "nerves" seemed to be on edge. This meaning of being anxious or apprehensive developed gradually over time.
So, the word "nervous" started by literally meaning "full of nerves," then expanded to describe things related to nerves, and finally settled on its most common modern meaning of feeling anxious or uneasy. It's a word that has evolved over centuries, but its core connection to the idea of nerves and sensitivity has remained.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Nervous
Phrases (using "nervous" directly):
Nervous wreck: Describes someone extremely anxious and agitated. (Common, though perhaps not a full idiom)
Nervous energy: Refers to a restless, agitated feeling often accompanying nervousness. (Common)
Nervous laugh: A laugh that betrays underlying anxiety. (Common)
Nervous tic: A repetitive, involuntary movement often triggered by stress or anxiety. (Common)
A bundle of nerves: Similar to "nervous wreck," but perhaps implying a more contained nervousness. (Common)
Phrases (related concepts, synonyms):
On edge: Similar to nervous, implying tension and unease. (Common idiom)
Butterflies in the stomach: A common idiom for the feeling of nervousness, especially before a big event. (Common idiom)
Jittery: Describes a shaky, restless feeling often linked to nervousness. (Common)
Anxious anticipation: Captures the feeling of nervousness mixed with excitement about something to come. (Common phrase)
Sweating bullets: An idiom for extreme nervousness or fear. (Common idiom)
Less common/original phrases:
"My nerves are shot": Expressing a feeling of extreme nervousness or exhaustion due to stress.
"Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs": A folksy simile for extreme nervousness. (Less common simile)
"Nervous fingers drumming a silent beat": Descriptive of a common physical manifestation of nervousness.
"A nervous flutter in my chest": Describing a physical sensation of anxiety.
Why so few "nervous" idioms?
As mentioned earlier, "nervous" is already a fairly direct description of a feeling. Idioms often use more metaphorical language. We don't need to say "nervous as a..." because "nervous" itself already conveys the meaning. The related phrases and idioms often focus on the physical manifestations of nervousness (butterflies, jittery, sweating) or the intensity of it (wreck, on edge), adding a layer of figurative meaning that "nervous" alone doesn't always have.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of nervous from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
