nervousness
gb/nˈɚvəsnəs/ us/nˈɚvəsnəs/
B2
English
idegesség, izgulás, nyugtalanság
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone's] nervousness (about/before [something])
She tried to hide her nervousness during the interview.
Az állásinterjú alatt próbálta leplezni az idegességét.
There was a lot of nervousness before the exam results came out.
Nagy volt az idegesség, mielőtt kijöttek a vizsgaeredmények.
His nervousness eased once he started speaking.
Learner examples
I feel nervousness before tests.
Vizsgák előtt mindig izgulok.
My nervousness goes away after a few minutes.
Az idegességem néhány perc után elmúlik.
Common mistake:
Learners may use it like an adjective ("I am nervousness"); use "I have/feel nervousness" or "I am nervous."
Meaning
an anxious, worried feeling
Collocations
feel nervousness
|sudden nervousness
|growing nervousness
|overcome nervousness
|hide nervousness
|nervousness about something
|nervousness before something
|a sense of nervousness
|signs of nervousness
|deal with nervousness
Synonyms
anxiety (Often stronger or more general worry.)
|
apprehension (Nervous worry about something that may happen.)
|
unease (A mild, general feeling of discomfort or worry.)
Antonyms
calm (A relaxed state without nervous feelings.)
|
confidence (Feeling sure of yourself rather than worried.)
Themes
emotions
|mental_health
|daily_life
Definition
A feeling of worry or fear.
The feeling of being nervous, worried, or uneasy, especially before something important or uncertain.
NOUN
B2
2
idegesség
B1
Usage pattern:
nervousness in [someone's] voice/hands/movements
I heard nervousness in his voice when he answered the phone.
Hallatszott az idegesség a hangján, amikor felvette a telefont.
Her nervousness showed in the way she kept tapping her foot.
Az idegessége abból látszott, hogy folyton dobolt a lábával.
The camera picked up the nervousness in his hands.
Learner examples
There was nervousness in my voice.
Idegesség hallatszott a hangomban.
My hands shook with nervousness.
Az idegességtől remegett a kezem.
Meaning
shaky signs of being nervous
Collocations
nervousness in her voice
|nervousness in his hands
|betray nervousness
|show nervousness
|detect nervousness
|noticeable nervousness
|barely concealed nervousness
|mask nervousness
|tremble with nervousness
|speak with nervousness
Synonyms
tremor (Physical shaking; does not always imply worry.)
|
shakiness (Directly focuses on physical unsteadiness.)
Antonyms
steadiness (Firm, controlled movement or voice.)
|
composure (Calm self-control in behavior and speech.)
Themes
emotions
|body_and_health
|communication
Definition
Shaking or tension that shows you are nervous.
A shaky or tense quality in someone’s voice, hands, or behavior that shows they are nervous.
NOUN
C1
3
idegesség
B1
nyugtalanság
B2
Usage pattern:
nervousness about [something] / nervousness in [a market/city/group]
Market nervousness increased after the unexpected announcement.
A váratlan bejelentés után fokozódott a piaci idegesség.
There was nervousness in the office as layoffs were rumored.
Idegesség volt az irodában, mert elbocsátásokról pletykáltak.
The report helped calm public nervousness about the new policy.
Learner examples
There is nervousness in the market.
Idegesség van a piacon.
People felt nervousness about the storm.
Az emberek nyugtalanságot éreztek a vihar miatt.
Meaning
widespread unease in a group
Collocations
market nervousness
|investor nervousness
|public nervousness
|renewed nervousness
|rising nervousness
|nervousness about inflation
|nervousness over security
|nervousness ahead of elections
|widespread nervousness
|fuel nervousness
Synonyms
uncertainty (Focuses on not knowing what will happen, not the feeling itself.)
|
jitters (Informal; often used in headlines for markets.)
|
anxiety (Stronger and more emotional; can be individual or collective.)
Antonyms
reassurance (A feeling of confidence because worries are reduced.)
|
optimism (A positive expectation rather than worry.)
Themes
news
|business
|politics
|society
Definition
When many people feel worried or unsure.
A general feeling of worry or uncertainty shared by many people in a place or situation, often in politics, business, or society.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nervousness
IPA
GB/nˈɚvəsnəs/
US/nˈɚvəsnəs/
Syllables & stress
nervous - ness (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (nervous)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: nervousness
- Plural: nervousness
Word family
Expressions
a bundle of nerves
1/ə bˈʌndəl əv nˈɚvz/
idiom
person who is very nervous
A person who feels extremely nervous and tense.
Examples
- Before the exam, I was a bundle of nerves.
- She walked into the interview a bundle of nerves.
- He’s always a bundle of nerves before a big game.
a bundle of nerves
1/ə bˈʌndəl əv nˈɚvz/
idiom
informal
extremely nervous person
A very nervous person.
Examples
- She was a bundle of nerves before the presentation.
- After the near miss, he was a bundle of nerves for hours.
- I’m a bundle of nerves when I have to fly.
Learner examples
- He is a bundle of nerves today.
be on edge
1/bˈi ˈɔn ˈɛd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
tense and easily upset
To feel tense and nervous.
Examples
- Everyone was on edge while they waited for the decision.
- I’ve been on edge all day because of the news.
- He gets on edge when he has to speak in public.
Learner examples
- I am on edge before exams.
calm your nerves
1/kˈɑm jˈʊɹ nˈɚvz/
fixed phrase
reduce your nervous feelings
To make yourself feel less nervous or afraid.
Examples
- She drank a glass of water to calm her nerves before speaking.
- Deep breathing can help calm your nerves before an exam.
calm your nerves
1/kˈɑm jˈʊɹ nˈɚvz/
fixed phrase
reduce your nervous feelings
To feel less nervous.
Examples
- She took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves.
- A cup of tea helped calm my nerves.
- He tried to calm his nerves by joking with friends.
Learner examples
- I listen to music to calm my nerves.
get cold feet
1/ɡˈɛt kˈoʊld fˈit/
idiom
informal
Become too nervous to do something planned
To feel too afraid to do something you had planned to do.
Examples
- She got cold feet before her wedding day.
- He was going to speak up but got cold feet.
get cold feet
1/ɡˈɛt kˈoʊld fˈit/
idiom
informal
lose courage at last moment
To be too nervous to do something you planned.
Examples
- He got cold feet and canceled the trip the day before.
- I almost got cold feet about quitting my job.
- She didn’t get cold feet, even when things went wrong.
Learner examples
- I got cold feet before my speech.
have butterflies (in your stomach)
1/hˈæv bˈʌtɚflˌaɪz ˈɪn jˈʊɹ stˈʌmək/
idiom
informal
feel nervous excitement
To feel nervous before something.
Examples
- I always have butterflies in my stomach before I perform.
- She had butterflies when she opened the email with the results.
- Do you get butterflies before a first date?
Learner examples
- I have butterflies before exams.
- He had butterflies before his speech.
have the jitters
1/hˈæv ðə d͡ʒˈɪtɚz/
fixed phrase
informal
feel jumpy and nervous
To feel very nervous.
Examples
- He had the jitters before his first day at work.
- I’m not scared, I just have the jitters.
- The whole team had the jitters in the final minutes.
Learner examples
- I have the jitters before interviews.
nerves of steel
1/nˈɚvz əv stˈil/
idiom
extreme calm under pressure
Having a very strong ability to stay calm and not afraid in very difficult or dangerous situations.
Examples
- A pilot needs nerves of steel to land in such conditions.
- Pilots need nerves of steel to handle emergencies.
- She showed nerves of steel during the crisis.
- You must have nerves of steel to work in an emergency room.
- The negotiator showed nerves of steel during the crisis.
nerves of steel
1/nˈɚvz əv stˈil/
idiom
stay calm under pressure
To stay calm in scary situations.
Examples
- You need nerves of steel to do that job.
- She showed nerves of steel in the final seconds of the match.
- He has nerves of steel when everyone else panics.
Learner examples
- She has nerves of steel.