nerve

noun

UK /nɜː(r)v/

Word Forms

singular	nerve
plural	nerves

1
countable one of the groups of fibres in your body that carry messages between your brain and the rest of your body, communicating pain, pressure, feelings of heat and cold etc
A pinched nerve is causing her a lot of pain.
cranial/peripheral nerves
Synonyms and related words
The brain and nervous system
amygdala
brain
brain cell
2

nerves
plural a worried feeling that makes you afraid that you will not be able to do something well
There’s nothing really wrong with her, it’s just nerves.
a case of nerves (=an occasion when you feel very worried):
A case of nerves won’t stop me from performing tonight.
calm someone’s nerves:
He asked for a drink to calm his nerves before heading out to the plane.
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of worry and nervousness
worry
concern
stress
3
uncountable the ability to control your fear and remain determined when you are doing something difficult or dangerous
a lot of nerve:
It took a lot of nerve for him to ask her out.
the nerve to do something:
After months of agonizing, she finally found the nerve to tell him he was wrong.
lose your nerve (=no longer be able to control your fear):
Suddenly I lost my nerve and I couldn’t move.
Synonyms and related words
Bravery and brave behaviour
bravery
courage
daring
Synonyms and related words
Determination and ambition
determination
ambition
will
4
uncountable a rude attitude, usually shown by behaviour that makes other people angry
a lot of nerve/some nerve:
You’ve got a lot of nerve, calling me at this time of night.
have the nerve to do something:
She had the nerve to call me a liar after everything I’ve done for her.
the nerve of someone (=used for showing anger or surprise at someone’s rude behaviour):
The nerve of him, asking me for money!
Synonyms and related words
Impolite and rude behaviour
discourtesy
insolence
presumption

phrases

touch/strike/hit etc a (raw) nerve

battle/war of nerves

get on someone’s nerves

nerves of steel

nerve

noun

US /nɜrv/

Word Forms

singular	nerve
plural	nerves

1
countable one of the groups of fibers in your body that carry messages between your brain and the rest of your body, communicating pain, pressure, feelings of heat and cold, etc.
A pinched nerve is causing her a lot of pain.
cranial/peripheral nerves
Synonyms and related words
The brain and nervous system
amygdala
brain
brain cell
2
uncountable the ability to control your fear and remain determined when you are doing something difficult or dangerous
the nerve to do something:
After months of agonizing, she finally found the nerve to tell him he was wrong.
a lot of nerve:
It took a lot of nerve for him to ask her out.
lose your nerve (=no longer be able to control your fear):
Suddenly I lost my nerve and I couldn’t move.
Synonyms and related words
Bravery and brave behavior
bravery
courage
daring
Synonyms and related words
Determination and ambition
determination
ambition
will
3

nerves
plural a worried feeling that makes you afraid that you will not be able to do something well
There’s nothing really wrong with her, it’s just nerves.
a case of nerves (=an occasion when you feel very worried):
A case of nerves won’t stop me from performing tonight.
calm someone’s nerves:
He asked for a drink to calm his nerves before heading out to the plane.
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of worry and nervousness
worry
concern
stress
4
uncountable a rude attitude, usually shown by behavior that makes other people angry
have the nerve to do something:
She had the nerve to call me a liar after everything I’ve done for her.
a lot of nerve/some nerve:
You’ve got a lot of nerve, calling me at this time of night.
the nerve of someone (=used for showing anger or surprise at someone’s rude behavior):
The nerve of him, asking me for money!
Synonyms and related words
Impolite and rude behavior
discourtesy
insolence
presumption

phrases

touch/strike/hit etc. a (raw) nerve

battle/war of nerves

get on someone’s nerves

nerves of steel

nerve

verb transitive

UK /nɜː(r)v/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	nerve
he/she/it	nerves
present participle	nerving
past tense	nerved
past participle	nerved

1
to make someone, usually yourself, feel strong enough to do something or ready to do it
Finally she nerved herself to go and talk to him.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone less nervous or upset
soothe
comfort
reassure

nerve

verb transitive

US /nɜrv/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	nerve
he/she/it	nerves
present participle	nerving
past tense	nerved
past participle	nerved

1
to make someone, usually yourself, feel strong enough to do something or ready to do it
Finally she nerved herself to go and talk to him.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone less nervous or upset
soothe
comfort
reassure

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