nervous

nerv-ous · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Feeling or showing anxiety, worry, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.

  2. 2.

    (anatomy) Relating to or affecting the nerves or nervous system.

  3. 3.

    Easily agitated or apprehensive; having a tendency to be anxious.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    nervous breakdown — a period of severe mental or emotional crisis
  • •
    nervous wreck — someone in a state of extreme anxiety
  • •
    nervous system — the network of nerves and cells that transmit signals in the body
  • •
    nervous energy — restless energy caused by anxiety or excitement
  • •
    nervous laughter — laughter caused by nervousness rather than amusement

Related words

Antonyms: calm, composed, confident, relaxed
See also: anxious, nerve, nerves, worried
Synonyms: anxious, apprehensive, tense, uneasy, worried

Etymology

From Latin nervosus ("sinewy, vigorous"), from nervus ("sinew, nerve"). The meaning shifted from "vigorous" to "relating to nerves" and eventually to "anxious" in English.