nod

noun countable

UK /nɒd/

Word Forms

singular	nod
plural	nods

1
the movement that you make when you nod your head
He indicated its position by a nod of his head.
She gave a nod of understanding.
Synonyms and related words
To use a particular gesture to communicate something
acknowledge
bat your eyes/eyelashes
beckon

phrases

a nod to/towards something

on the nod

nod

noun countable

US /nɑd/

Word Forms

singular	nod
plural	nods

1
the movement that you make when you nod your head
He indicated the letter with a nod of his head.
She gave a nod of understanding.
Synonyms and related words
To use a particular gesture to communicate something
acknowledge
bat your eyes/eyelashes
beckon

phrases

a nod to/toward something

nod

verb

UK /nɒd/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	nod
he/she/it	nods
present participle	nodding
past tense	nodded
past participle	nodded

1
intransitive/transitive to move your head first downwards and then upwards, to answer ‘Yes’ to a question or to show that you agree, approve, or understand
I expected an argument, but she merely nodded and went out.
The manager nodded his understanding.
nod in agreement/approval/sympathy:
Alison smiled and nodded in agreement.
nod your head:
Luke was nodding his head thoughtfully.
Synonyms and related words
To move your head
avert your eyes/gaze/head etc
bob your head
bury your face/head in something
Synonyms and related words
To use a particular gesture to communicate something
acknowledge
bat your eyes/eyelashes
beckon
Collocates
Adverbs frequently used with nod
▪ approvingly, gravely, grimly, sagely, slowly, sympathetically, thoughtfully, vigorously
2
intransitive to move your head once in a particular direction, for example to make someone look at something or to give someone a signal to do something
nod towards/in the direction of:
‘They’re having fun’, she said, nodding towards the kids on the beach.
nod at:
She nodded at the waiter for him to bring in the cake.
nod to:
I nodded to my friend and she rang the bell.
Synonyms and related words
To move your head
avert your eyes/gaze/head etc
bob your head
bury your face/head in something
Synonyms and related words
To use a particular gesture to communicate something
acknowledge
bat your eyes/eyelashes
beckon
3
intransitive/transitive to move your head downwards and upwards as a way of saying hello, goodbye, thank you etc
Mel nodded her thanks to Adam.
nod at:
The man smiled shyly and nodded at her.
Synonyms and related words
To move your head
avert your eyes/gaze/head etc
bob your head
bury your face/head in something
Synonyms and related words
Gestures used to say hello or goodbye
air kiss
air kissing
blow (someone) a kiss
Synonyms and related words
To use a particular gesture to communicate something
acknowledge
bat your eyes/eyelashes
beckon
4
transitive if a football player nods the ball in a particular direction, they hit it there with their head
He nodded the ball over the line.
Synonyms and related words
To kick or hit a ball in a game or sport
strike at
kick
play
5
intransitive literaryif a plant or other long object nods, its top part moves slightly forward several times
The ears of corn nodded gently in the breeze.
Synonyms and related words
To move up and down or backwards and forwards
swing
bounce
rock

phrases

have a nodding acquaintance with someone/be on nodding terms with someone

phrasal verbs

nod off

nod

verb

US /nɑd/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	nod
he/she/it	nods
present participle	nodding
past tense	nodded
past participle	nodded

1
intransitive/transitive to move your head first downward and then upward, to answer “Yes” to a question or to show that you agree, approve, or understand
I expected an argument, but she just nodded and went out.
The manager nodded his understanding.
nod in agreement/approval/sympathy:
Alison smiled and nodded in agreement.
nod your head:
Luke was nodding his head thoughtfully.
Synonyms and related words
To move your head
avert your eyes/gaze/head etc.
bob your head
bury your face/head in something
Synonyms and related words
To use a particular gesture to communicate something
acknowledge
bat your eyes/eyelashes
beckon
Collocates
Adverbs frequently used with nod
▪ approvingly, gravely, grimly, sagely, slowly, sympathetically, thoughtfully, vigorously
2
intransitive to move your head once in a particular direction, for example to make someone look at something or to give someone a signal to do something
nod toward/in the direction of:
“They’re having fun,” she said, nodding toward the kids on the beach.
nod at:
She nodded at the waiter for him to bring in the bill.
nod to:
I nodded to my friend and she rang the bell.
Synonyms and related words
To move your head
avert your eyes/gaze/head etc.
bob your head
bury your face/head in something
Synonyms and related words
To use a particular gesture to communicate something
acknowledge
bat your eyes/eyelashes
beckon
3
intransitive/transitive to move your head downward and upward as a way of saying hello, goodbye, thank you, etc.
Mel nodded her thanks to Adam.
nod at:
The man smiled shyly and nodded at her.
Synonyms and related words
To move your head
avert your eyes/gaze/head etc.
bob your head
bury your face/head in something
Synonyms and related words
Gestures used to say hello or goodbye
air kiss
air kissing
blow (someone) a kiss
Synonyms and related words
To use a particular gesture to communicate something
acknowledge
bat your eyes/eyelashes
beckon
4
intransitive literaryif a plant or other long object nods, its top part moves slightly forward several times
The ears of corn nodded gently in the breeze.
Synonyms and related words
To move up and down or backwards and forwards
swing
bounce
rock

phrases

have a nodding acquaintance with someone/be on nodding terms with someone

phrasal verbs

nod off

nod ​‌

nod ​‌

nod ​‌‌‌

nod ​‌‌‌

nod

nod

nod

nod