nervy

Examples

• All

• So it started off just being like a nervy pain in my back when I was lifting and I was like, it just didn't feel comfortable.

• I happened to mention I was a bit nervy and before I knew it I'd agreed to spend a few days with her.

  Suspicion (1941)

• You were very nervy all through the ballet.

  Match Point (2005)

• But now we're a little nervy, of course, 'cause we don't know what anyone will think.

  Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams (2018)

• So by the time I get here, I'm damp and nervy.

  Fiction book (1998)

• He was already nervy last Saturday when Fred first saw him in the fine arts library, before the news got out.

  Fiction book (1995)

• "No, I don't think that's a nervy request.

  Fiction book (1995)

• He's very nervy.

  Fiction book (2000)

• But I'm here—early, damp, and nervy—but I'm here.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Things were a little nervy in the first half for the Villanova Wildcats, but as the game wore on, Andy Talley's troops wore down the Blue Hens and ultimately romped over their rivals 41-10 in the 2012 Battle of the Blue.

  Blog text (12)

Synonyms

N

nervous

vsnervy

∞ 1.3

Feeling worried and easily frightened

is a tense, uneasy state rather than a broad worry feeling

A

anxious

vsnervy

201 2.7

Feeling worried or nervous about something that might happen

is general tension and unease rather than worry about outcomes

U

uneasy

vsnervy

98 3.2

You feel worried and not relaxed

is more about clear tension and nervous strain than mild discomfort

U

uptight

vsnervy

• Informal

77 5.0

Nervous and tense so you cannot relax

is more general tension rather than inability to relax from worry

O

on edge

vsnervy

• Informal

68 4.3

Feeling nervous and tense so you are easily upset or worried

describes a tense state more than being ready to snap

S

shaky

vsnervy

59 2.1

Not steady and trembling, often from fear, cold, or tiredness

is mainly an anxious or tense feeling not physical instability

J

jumpy

vsnervy

• Informal

54 4.3

Feeling nervous and easily startled by sudden sounds

is general nervous tension rather than a tendency to startle

E

edgy

vsnervy

41 5.2

Feeling nervous and tense, easily upset

is more about steady tension rather than quick irritability

J

jittery

vsnervy

26 4.5

Feeling nervous and unable to stay still

is broader tension rather than mainly being easily startled

P

panicky

vsnervy

22 4.1

Feeling sudden, strong fear that makes you act without thinking

is tense and uneasy calmly rather than sudden uncontrollable fear

H

high-strung

vsnervy

12 7.2

Being very nervous and easily upset

is similar but usually describes a less extreme tension level

T

twitchy

vsnervy

• Informal

9 4.6

Feeling nervous and unable to stay still

is more about inner tension than obvious small movements

F

fidgety

vsnervy

8 4.8

Unable to stay still because you feel nervous

is tense and uneasy inwardly rather than mainly restless movement

F

fluttery

vsnervy

2 4.9

Feeling nervous and excited with a quick, shaky feeling in the body

is steadier tense unease rather than light excited trembling

T

timorous

vsnervy

• Formal

1 8.6

Feeling nervous and lacking confidence in new situations

is general tension and unease rather than shy or timid fear

H

highly strung

vsnervy

1 7.4

Someone who is very nervous and easily upset

is tense and uneasy but not necessarily extremely sensitive

Q

quivery

vsnervy

1 5.0

Shaking slightly because of strong feelings or weakness

is about mental tension rather than actual physical tremors

T

toey

vsnervy

• Australian

1 9.9

Feeling nervous and restless before an important event

is general tension rather than nervousness tied to waiting

O

overstrung

vsnervy

8.2

Feeling very nervous and tense because of worry

is tense and uneasy but not always as extreme or wound up

S

stewy

vsnervy

• Informal

8.6

Feeling nervous and restless because you worry

is acute tension and unease rather than quiet brooding worry

F

fretty

vsnervy

• Archaic

9.5

Feeling worried and unable to relax about small things

is tense and uneasy without implying needless worrying

F

flurried

vsnervy

7.4

Feeling nervous and hurried after something sudden happens

is a steady tense state rather than brief agitation from busyness

Antonyms

C

calm

735 1.0

Not showing strong feelings and being very still

R

relaxed

241 1.0

Calm and not worried

How Nervous

panicked

16 4.6

anxious

201 2.7

nervy

1 6.5

tense

310 3.6

uneasy

98 3.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology