👈 To push gently 👈 A light push 💬 To encourage 📊 A gentle influence

nudge

23 3.5

A small push with an elbow or hand to get someone's attention

noun
/nʌdʒ/

: codazo

He gave me a playful nudge to attract my attention during the presentation.

Examples

I need a little nudge.

The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
You should have given me a nudge.

Dragged Across Concrete (2019)
I knew it was time for me to move on, and this was the nudge I needed.

The Minimalists: Less Is Now (2021)
I just gave him a little nudge.

#Roxy (2018)
I just gave it a little nudge.

Paramedics (2016)
And so a gentle nudge is all you need.
I want to give your customers a gentle nudge in the right direction.
All I do is give his empty chair a tiny nudge with my toe.

Fiction book (1994)
She just needs a little bit of a nudge, all right?

The Change-Up (2011)
With a slight nudge, Taylor stretched out and draped the blanket over him.

Fiction book (2001)

Synonyms

poke

vsnudge

4 2.5

A quick, sharp push with a finger or pointed object

is a slight gentle push aimed to attract attention not a sharp prod

tuk

vsnudge

9.9

A quick, gentle touch on the arm to get someone's attention

is a slight push usually with elbow or hand rather than any finger

Idioms

nudge nudge wink wink

NSFW

9.9

Hint at something in a joking way with a wink or small gesture

How Forceful

poke

Informal

5 6.5

shove

31 2.7

to prod

8 3.6

nudge

23 3.5

tap

66 1.0

Surface Forms

nudge singular

nudges plural

Etymology

Nudge comes from the simple idea of a small, friendly 'push'—a quiet tap with your elbow or hand to get someone's attention. That's why a nudge means a slight push to attract attention.