nervously
gb/nˈɚvəsli/ us/nˈɚvəsli/
B1
English
~ 1300
idegesen
B1
1
idegesen
A2
Usage pattern:
to do [something] nervously
She smiled nervously before giving her speech.
Idegesen mosolygott, mielőtt megtartotta a beszédét.
He glanced nervously at the clock as the deadline approached.
Idegesen pillantott az órára, ahogy közeledett a határidő.
The child shifted nervously in her seat.
They waited nervously for the test results.
I laughed nervously when I realized my mistake.
Learner examples
I looked nervously at the big dog.
Idegesen néztem a nagy kutyára.
She spoke nervously to the teacher.
Idegesen beszélt a tanárral.
He walked nervously into the room.
We waited nervously for our turn.
The boy smiled nervously at his friend.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'nervously' with 'nervously excited', but 'nervously' usually focuses on worry, fear, or unease rather than positive excitement.
Meaning
In an anxious or worried way
Collocations
smile nervously
|laugh nervously
|look around nervously
|wait nervously
|glance nervously
Synonyms
anxiously (Focuses more on anticipation or worry about something that will happen.)
|
uneasily (Suggests discomfort or lack of confidence rather than fear.)
Antonyms
confidently (Indicates doing something with certainty and self-assurance, the opposite of nervousness.)
|
calmly (Describes doing something without anxiety or agitation.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a way that shows you feel afraid, worried, or not relaxed.
In a manner that shows you are worried, afraid, or uncertain.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nervously
IPA
GB/nˈɚvəsli/
US/nˈɚvəsli/
Syllables & stress
nervously (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (nervously)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: nervously
- Plural: nervouslies
Word family
Forms
nervouslies
noun
Core family
nervous
adjective A2
nervousness
noun B2
Related words
nerve
noun B1
Advanced or less common
unnerve
verb C1
unnerving
adjective
Expressions
laugh nervously
1/lˈæf nˈɚvəsli/
fixed phrase
Laugh in an anxious way
To laugh in a way that shows you feel worried or not comfortable.
Examples
- She laughed nervously when asked about her plans for the future.
- He laughed nervously after forgetting his lines on stage.
look around nervously
1/lˈʊk ɚˈaʊnd nˈɚvəsli/
fixed phrase
Look around in an anxious way
To move your eyes around a place because you feel worried or afraid.
Examples
- He looked around nervously as he walked through the dark alley.
- She looked around nervously, afraid someone might be watching.
smile nervously
1/smˈaɪl nˈɚvəsli/
fixed phrase
Smile in an anxious way
To smile in a way that shows you feel worried or not comfortable.
Examples
- He smiled nervously as he entered the interview room.
- She smiled nervously, unsure of what to say.