nervous
gb/nˈɚvəs/ us/nˈɚvəs/
A2
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
feeling anxious or uneasy
Feeling afraid or worried about what might happen.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is nervous about [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'nervous' with 'excited', but 'nervous' usually means worried or uneasy, not happy anticipation.
Synonyms
anxious (Often used similarly, though 'anxious' can also mean 'eager' in some contexts.)
|
apprehensive (Slightly more formal; suggests quiet fear or concern.)
Antonyms
confident (Opposite emotional state; feeling sure and positive rather than uneasy.)
Collocations
feel nervous
|nervous about
|nervous before
|nervous smile
|nervous laugh
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She felt nervous before giving her speech.
- I'm always nervous before job interviews.
- He looked nervous when the teacher called his name.
- The actor was nervous about forgetting his lines.
- I get nervous when flying in bad weather.
Learner examples
- I am nervous before the test.
- She is nervous about meeting new people.
- He feels nervous in big crowds.
- They are nervous before the game.
- My friend is nervous about the exam.
adjective
technical
B2
property
2
relating to the body's nerves
About the nerves inside the body that send signals to and from the brain.
Synonyms
neurological (More formal and specific to medical or scientific contexts.)
Collocations
nervous system
|nervous tissue
|nervous impulse
Themes
science
|medicine
|body
|health
Examples
- The doctor explained how the nervous system works.
- Nervous tissue transmits signals throughout the body.
- The disease affects the central nervous system.
- Nervous impulses travel quickly along neurons.
- This study focuses on nervous function in mammals.
Learner examples
- The brain is part of the nervous system.
- The nervous system controls the body.
- Nervous tissue sends signals to the brain.
- A nervous impulse moves fast.
- The doctor studies the nervous system.
adjective
B1
property
3
easily startled or jumpy
Quick to feel worried, afraid, or jumpy.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is nervous around [something/someone]
Synonyms
high-strung (Informal; suggests being tense and easily upset.)
|
jittery (Informal; emphasizes physical restlessness or shakiness.)
Antonyms
calm (Opposite temperament; relaxed and not easily upset.)
Collocations
nervous disposition
|nervous temperament
Themes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He's always been a nervous person, even as a child.
- The horse was too nervous to approach.
- She has a nervous temperament and startles easily.
- Some dogs are naturally more nervous than others.
- He gave a nervous jump when he heard the noise.
Learner examples
- The cat is very nervous around strangers.
- My dog is nervous near loud sounds.
- He is a nervous man who worries a lot.
- She looks nervous when talking to new people.
- The child feels nervous in big crowds.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nervous
IPA
GB/nˈɚvəs/
US/nˈɚvəs/
Syllables & stress
nervous (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (nervous)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: nervous
Word family
Core family
Related words
nervy
adjective
unnerve
verb C1
Advanced or less common
neurotic
adjective
neurology
noun
neurologist
noun
Expressions
nervous energy
1/nˈɚvəs ˈɛnɚd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
restless energy from anxiety
A feeling of having too much energy because you are worried or excited.
Examples
- He paced the room, full of nervous energy before the meeting.
- She cleaned the kitchen to use up her nervous energy.
nervous laughter
1/nˈɚvəs lˈæftɚ/
fixed phrase
laughter from discomfort or fear
Laughing because you are worried, shy, or uncomfortable, not because something is funny.
Examples
- There was some nervous laughter when the boss made a joke about layoffs.
- Her comment was followed by a burst of nervous laughter.
nervous breakdown
1/nˈɚvəs bɹˈeɪkdˌaʊn/
fixed phrase
severe mental health crisis
A period when someone cannot live normally because of extreme stress or mental illness.
Examples
- After months of pressure at work, she had a nervous breakdown.
- After his nervous breakdown, he took six months off work.
- He took time off after suffering a nervous breakdown.
- She suffered a nervous breakdown in her twenties but later recovered.
- The doctor warned him he was close to a nervous breakdown.