Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense, plural nerves, present participle nerving, past tense, past participle nerved
1. countable noun
Nerves are long thin fibres that transmit messages between your brain and other parts of your body.
...spinal nerves.
...in cases where the nerve fibres are severed.
2. plural noun [usually poss NOUN]
If you refer to someone's nerves, you mean their ability to cope with problems such as stress, worry, and danger.
Jill's nerves are stretched to breaking point.
I can be very patient, and then I can burst if my nerves are worn out.
3. plural noun
You can refer to someone's feelings of anxiety or tension as nerves.
I just played badly. It wasn't nerves.
4. uncountable noun
Nerve is the courage that you need in order to do something difficult or dangerous.
The brandy made him choke, but it restored his nerve.
He never got up enough nerve to meet me.
Synonyms: bravery, courage, spirit, bottle [British, slang] More Synonyms of nerve
5. verb
If you nerveyourself to do something difficult or frightening, you prepare yourself for it by trying to be brave.
[written]
I nerved myself to face the pain. [VERB pronoun-reflexive to-infinitive]
6.
See get on sb's nerves
7.
See have a nerve
8.
See hold one's nerve/keep ones's nerves
9.
See live on one's nerves
10.
See to lose your nerve
11.
See touch a raw nerve
More Synonyms of nerve
nerve in British English
(nɜːv)
noun
1.
any of the cordlike bundles of fibres that conduct sensory or motor impulses between the brain or spinal cord and another part of the body
▶ Related adjective: neural
2.
courage, bravery, or steadfastness
3. lose one's nerve
4. informal
boldness or effrontery; impudence
he had the nerve to swear at me
5.
muscle or sinew (often in the phrase strain every nerve)
6.
a large vein in a leaf
7.
any of the veins of an insect's wing
8. touch a nerve
verb(transitive)
9.
to give courage to (oneself); steel (oneself)
10.
to provide with nerve or nerves
Word origin
C16: from Latin nervus; related to Greek neuron; compare Sanskrit snāvan sinew
nerve in American English
(nɜrv)
noun
1.
a sinew or tendon
now only in the phr. strain every nerve, to try as hard as possible
2.
any of the cordlike fibers or bundles of fibers connecting the body organs with the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord) and parts of the nervous system with eachother, and carrying impulses to and from the brain or a nerve center
3.
the pulp of a tooth, including the nerves, blood vessels, etc.
4.
emotional control; coolness in danger; courage
a man of nerve
5.
strength; energy; vigor
6. [pl.]
the nervous system regarded as indicating health, emotional stability, endurance, etc.
7. [pl.]
a.
nervousness
b.
an attack of this; hysteria
8. Informal
impudent boldness; audacity; brazenness
9. Biology
a rib or vein in a leaf or insect's wing
verb transitiveWord forms: nerved or ˈnerving
10.
to give strength or courage to
SIMILAR WORDS: teˈmerity
Idioms:
get on someone's nerves
nerve oneself
Word origin
ME nerfe < OFr nerf < L nervus, sinew, nerve, string < IE base *(s)nēu-, to twist, wind > Gr neuron, tendon, nerve, OE sneowan, to hurry
More idioms containing
nerve
touch a nerve
COBUILD Collocations
nerve
steady nerves
Examples of 'nerve' in a sentence
nerve
In healthy people the brain sends these messages to the limbs through nerves in the spinal cord.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It has clearly touched a financial nerve.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And you have the cool nerves and ability to recall facts that helps you to perform well in tests.
The Sun (2016)
After three bad years, that would require nerves of steel.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The anxiety and nerves from the fans, does that become part of it?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The fans' nerves transmitted to the players.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So it will need nerves of steel to bet on a record for the year.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Other parents came up afterwards to compliment her nerve and ability.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They then use his own optic nerves to transmit messages to the brain.
The Sun (2009)
This led to continued research into nerve gases as potential pesticides.
Lashford, Stephanie The Residue Report - an action plan for safer food (1988)
These have not shown that any patch of the wall is especially well supplied with nerve endings.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Supporting either of these teams this season must strain both nerves and intelligence.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The synthetic alcohol works on the nerves in the brain that make people feel relaxed.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The smoke and shouting were enough to shake nerves of steel.
Arthur Conan Doyle The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892)
He is possessed of courage and nerve.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
That really touched a nerve in me.
Christianity Today (2000)
You have nerves running from the brain to the spinal cord and another nerve that goes to the muscle.
The Sun (2012)
It's all down to anxiety and nerves.
The Sun (2011)
They feel it's just a nerve thing and that it should be banned.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This is the unlikely nerve centre of the company's push into military training.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It can also damage nerves in the face, which can lead to blindness.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
nerve
British English: nerve /nɜːv/ NOUN
in bodyNerves are long thin fibres that transmit messages between your brain and other parts of your body.
...pain from a damaged nerve.
American English: nerve to/from brain
Arabic: عَصَبٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: nervo
Chinese: 神经
Croatian: živac
Czech: nerv
Danish: nerve
Dutch: zenuw van/naar hersenen
European Spanish: nervio
Finnish: hermo
French: nerf
German: Nerv
Greek: νεύρο
Italian: nervo
Japanese: 神経
Korean: 신경
Norwegian: nerve
Polish: nerw
European Portuguese: nervo
Romanian: nerv
Russian: нерв
Latin American Spanish: nervio
Swedish: nerv
Thai: เส้นประสาท
Turkish: sinir anatomi
Ukrainian: нерв
Vietnamese: dây thần kinh
British English: nerve /nɜːv/ NOUN
courageNerve is the courage you need to do something difficult or dangerous.
I don't have the nerve to talk to him.
American English: nerve boldness
Arabic: جُرْأَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: ousadia
Chinese: 胆量
Croatian: drskost
Czech: odvaha
Danish: mod
Dutch: lef
European Spanish: frescura
Finnish: rohkeus
French: courage
German: Unverfrorenheit
Greek: τόλμη
Italian: sfacciataggine
Japanese: ずぶとさ boldness
Korean: 용기
Norwegian: ureddhet
Polish: pewność siebie
European Portuguese: ousadia
Romanian: curaj
Russian: смелость
Latin American Spanish: valor
Swedish: mod
Thai: ความกล้าหาญ
Turkish: cüret
Ukrainian: хоробрість
Vietnamese: khí phách
Chinese translation of 'nerve'
nerve
(nəːv)
n
(c) (Anat) 神经(經) (shénjīng) (根, gēn)
(u) (= courage) 勇气(氣) (yǒngqì)
to lose one's nerve失去勇气(氣) (shīqù yǒngqì)
to have the nerve to do sth (courage) 有胆(膽)量做某事 (yǒu dǎnliàng zuò mǒushì) (cheek) 厚颜(顏)无(無)耻(恥)地做某事 (hòuyán wúchǐ de zuò mǒushì)
you've got a nerve! (inf) 你真有脸(臉)！ (nǐ zhēn yǒu liǎn!)
what a nerve!真有胆(膽)量！ (zhēn yǒu dǎnliàng!)
to get on sb's nerves使某人心烦(煩) (shǐ mǒurén xīnfán)
Derived Forms
nervesn pl
(= anxiety) 神经(經)紧(緊)张(張) (shénjīng jǐnzhāng)
(= strength of character) 精神力量 (jīngshén lìliàng)
All related terms of 'nerve'
nerve-racking
伤(傷)脑(腦)筋的 shāng nǎojīn de
what a nerve!
真有胆(膽)量！ zhēn yǒu dǎnliàng!
to lose one's nerve
失去勇气(氣) shīqù yǒngqì
you've got a nerve!
( inf ) 你真有脸(臉)！ nǐ zhēn yǒu liǎn!
to have the nerve to do sth
( courage ) 有胆(膽)量做某事 yǒu dǎnliàng zuò mǒushì
1 (noun)
Definition
bravery and determination
I never got up enough nerve to tell him he was wrong.If we keep our nerve, we might be able to bluff it out.
Synonyms
bravery
You deserve the highest praise for your bravery.
courage
They do not have the courage to apologise for their actions.
spirit
She was a very brave girl and everyone admired her spirit.
bottle (British, slang)
Will anyone have the bottle to go through with it?
resolution
He implemented policy with resolution and single-mindedness.
daring
His daring nearly cost him his life.
determination
They acted with great courage and determination.
guts (informal)
pluck
Cynics might sneer at him but you have to admire his pluck.
grit
He showed grit and determination in his fight back to health.
fortitude
He suffered his illness with dignity and fortitude.
vigour
coolness
balls (vulgar, slang)
mettle
It's the first real test of his mettle this season.
firmness
spunk (informal)
I admired her independence and her spunk.
fearlessness
steadfastness
intrepidity
hardihood
developing hardihood of body
gameness
ballsiness (taboo, slang)
will
endurance
a test of endurance
2 (noun)
Definition
impudence
(informal)
He had the nerve to ask me to prove who I was.
Synonyms
impudence
One sister had the impudence to wear the other's clothes.
face (informal)
I haven't the face to ask her for money.
front
neck (informal)
sauce (informal)
cheek (informal)
I'm amazed they have the cheek to ask in the first place.
brass (informal)
You have got some brass, mate!
gall
She had the gall to suggest that I might lend her the money.
audacity
He had the audacity to look at his watch while I was talking.
boldness
temerity
patients who have the temerity to challenge their doctor
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal)
insolence
The most frequent reason for excluding a pupil was insolence.
impertinence
The impertinence of the boy is phenomenal!
effrontery
He had the effrontery to turn up on my doorstep at 2 in the morning.
brass neck (British, informal)
brazenness
sassiness (slang)
(plural noun)
Definition
anxiety or tension
(informal)
I just played badly. It wasn't nerves.
Synonyms
tension
stress
strain
anxiety
butterflies (in your stomach) (informal)
nervousness
cold feet (informal)
heebie-jeebies (slang)
worry
fretfulness
idiom
See get on someone's nerves
phrasal verb
See nerve yourself
related words
technical nameneuronneurone
related adjectiveneural
figurative note
The nervous system in the human body is its sensory and control apparatus, consisting of a network of nerve cells. In the middle ages, nerve fibres and tendons were not distinguished, and so nerves were associated with strength and physical force. The expression nerve yourself comes from this, meaning to brace the body and gear up the mind. Nerves became symbolic of bravery in the expression get up your nerve, and of fear in lose your nerve. The flipside of courage and motivation is arrogance and cheek: we talk about people having some or a nerve. In modern times, nerves are particularly linked to stress, irritation, and excitability, especially in the phrases nerve-racking, get on someone's nerves, and nervous breakdown.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of audacity
He had the audacity to look at his watch while I was talking.
Synonyms
cheek (informal),
nerve (informal),
defiance,
gall (informal),
presumption,
rudeness,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
insolence,
impertinence,
neck (informal),
impudence,
effrontery,
brass neck (British, informal),
shamelessness,
sassiness (informal),
forwardness,
pertness,
audaciousness,
disrespectfulness
in the sense of bottle
Definition
courage
Will anyone have the bottle to go through with it?
Synonyms
nerve,
will,
daring,
courage,
determination,
guts (informal),
face (informal),
balls (taboo, slang),
spirit,
resolution,
pluck,
grit,
bravery,
fortitude,
coolness,
mettle,
firmness,
spunk (informal),
fearlessness,
steadfastness,
intrepidity,
hardihood,
gameness,
ballsiness (taboo, slang)
in the sense of brass
Definition
bold self-confidence
You have got some brass, mate!
Synonyms
nerve (informal),
face (informal),
front,
neck (informal),
cheek,
gall (informal),
presumption,
audacity,
rudeness,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
insolence,
impertinence,
impudence,
effrontery,
brass neck (British, informal),
sassiness (US, informal)
Synonyms of 'nerve'
nerve
Explore 'nerve' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cheek
Definition
impudence, boldness, or lack of respect
I'm amazed they have the cheek to ask in the first place.
Synonyms
impudence,
face (informal),
front,
nerve (informal),
sauce (informal),
gall (informal),
disrespect,
audacity,
neck (informal),
lip (slang),
temerity,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
insolence,
impertinence,
effrontery,
brass neck (British, informal),
brazenness,
sassiness (informal)
in the sense of courage
Definition
the ability to face danger or pain without fear
They do not have the courage to apologise for their actions.
Synonyms
bravery,
nerve,
fortitude,
boldness,
balls (vulgar, slang),
bottle (British, slang),
resolution,
daring,
guts (informal),
pluck,
grit,
heroism,
mettle,
firmness,
gallantry,
valour,
spunk (informal),
fearlessness,
intrepidity,
hardihood,
ballsiness (taboo, slang),
dauntlessness,
lion-heartedness
in the sense of daring
Definition
the courage to do things that may be dangerous
His daring nearly cost him his life.
Synonyms
bravery,
nerve (informal),
courage,
face (informal),
balls (taboo, slang),
spirit,
bottle (British, slang),
guts (informal),
pluck,
grit,
audacity,
boldness,
temerity,
derring-do (archaic),
spunk (informal),
fearlessness,
rashness,
intrepidity,
ballsiness (taboo, slang)
in the sense of determination
Definition
the condition of being determined
They acted with great courage and determination.
Synonyms
resolution,
purpose,
resolve,
drive,
energy,
conviction,
courage,
dedication,
backbone,
fortitude,
persistence,
tenacity,
perseverance,
willpower,
boldness,
firmness,
staying power,
stubbornness,
strength of character,
constancy,
single-mindedness,
earnestness,
obstinacy,
steadfastness,
doggedness,
relentlessness,
strength of will,
resoluteness,
indomitability,
staunchness
in the sense of effrontery
Definition
insolence or boldness
He had the effrontery to turn up on my doorstep at 2 in the morning.
Synonyms
insolence,
nerve (informal),
arrogance,
presumption,
face (informal),
front,
neck (informal),
cheek (informal),
assurance,
brass (informal),
gall (informal),
disrespect,
audacity,
boldness,
rudeness,
temerity,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
impertinence,
impudence,
brashness,
brass neck (British, informal),
shamelessness,
incivility,
cheekiness,
brazenness
in the sense of endurance
Definition
the ability to withstand prolonged hardship
a test of endurance
Synonyms
staying power,
strength,
resolution,
resignation,
determination,
patience,
submission,
stamina,
fortitude,
persistence,
tenacity,
perseverance,
toleration,
sufferance,
doggedness,
stickability (informal),
pertinacity
in the sense of face
I haven't the face to ask her for money.
Synonyms
impudence,
front,
confidence,
audacity,
nerve (informal),
neck (informal),
sauce (informal),
cheek (informal),
assurance,
gall (informal),
presumption,
boldness,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
sass (informal),
effrontery,
brass neck (British, informal),
sassiness (informal)
in the sense of fearlessness
Synonyms
bravery,
balls (taboo, slang),
confidence,
nerve,
courage,
guts (informal),
boldness,
intrepidity,
indomitability,
ballsiness (taboo, slang),
dauntlessness,
lion-heartedness,
pluckiness
in the sense of fortitude
Definition
calm and patient courage in trouble or pain
He suffered his illness with dignity and fortitude.
Synonyms
courage,
strength,
resolution,
determination,
guts (informal),
patience,
pluck,
grit,
endurance,
bravery,
backbone,
perseverance,
firmness,
staying power,
valour,
fearlessness,
strength of mind,
intrepidity,
hardihood,
dauntlessness,
stoutheartedness
in the sense of gall
Definition
bold impudence
She had the gall to suggest that I might lend her the money.