adj.
Pronunciation: ' n ə r-v ə s
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century
1 archaic : SINEWY , STRONG
2 : marked by strength of thought, feeling, or style : SPIRITED <a vibrant tight-packed nervous style of writing>
3 : of, relating to, or composed of neurons
4 a : of or relating to the nerves also : originating in or affected by the nerves < nervous energy> b : easily excited or irritated : JUMPY c : TIMID , APPREHENSIVE <a nervous smile> < nervous of strangers>
5 a : tending to produce nervousness or agitation : UNEASY <a nervous situation> b : appearing or acting unsteady, erratic, or irregular ― used of inanimate things
synonyms see VIGOROUS
– ner · vous · ly adverb
– ner · vous · ness noun