Skip to main content
nerdy

nerdy

41 5.5
Being very interested in subjects like science or computers and sometimes socially awkward
  • adjective
  • /ˈnɜrdi/
translation icon : friki
  • He has always been the nerdy student who excels in math and science competitions.

OK this next book is my nerdy little passion.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • And I was the nerdy kid that all the cool kids talk to.

  • It's the nerdy-looking kid in the white shirt.

  • And I mean, talk about nerdy fun stuff.

  • So listen, it's super nerdy, I know, but but hear me out.

  • And her kid is like a good kid, like nerdy, funny, like just a good kid.

  • I think the people there are just a little bit more nerdy, which is great.

  • OK this next book is my nerdy little passion.

  • I think it would be better if you get in with the nerdy kids and see what's going on over there.

  • And in your own nerdy way you're kind of cool.

  • You know, I'm a nerdy schoolboy.

Synonyms

dorky
vsnerdy
  • Informal
33 7.7

Awkward and not fashionable in a slightly silly way

is more about academic or technical interests than playful awkwardness
geeky
vsnerdy
  • Informal
31 6.8

A person who likes technical topics like computers and does not seem fashionable

is broader adding academic focus plus social awkwardness

Antonyms

cool
  • Informal
2.2

Fashionable and attractive to many people

85 2.6

Popular now because it follows the current style

Compounds

Thick-rimmed or large frames that make someone look like a geek

How Nerdy

obsessive
1 6.5
nerdy
41 5.5
studious
9 3.9
interested
1.0

Surface Forms

nerdy positive
nerdier comparative
nerdiest superlative

Morphology

nerdy = nerd (transparent) = nerd + y

The adjective is directly formed from the noun 'nerd' with the productive adjectival suffix '-y', so its meaning is clearly derived.

Etymology

Nerdy comes from the short American slang nerd, a playful name that appeared in the 1950s and one popular story says it came from a Dr. Seuss book. Nerdy describes someone who loves studying, science, or special hobbies and may seem 'unfashionable' or 'socially awkward', so the origin helps you remember it means being very into facts or interests.