Word
nerdy
US/ˈnɝdi/
UK/nˈɜːdi/
Definition
adj. describing someone who is very interested in technical subjects, computers, or books. Often used for people who are smart but might be a bit awkward in social situations.
adj. characterised by an intense focus on intellectual, technical, or niche pursuits, often to the exclusion of social conventionality. Frequently used to describe individuals or interests perceived as unfashionable or overly academic.
Examples
“He wears nerdy glasses and loves talking about space.”
“She spent the entire weekend at a nerdy convention for fans of vintage board games.”
“The shift in tech culture has transformed what was once a nerdy obsession with coding into a highly respected and lucrative professional path.”
Examples
simple
“He wears nerdy glasses and loves talking about space.”
contextual
“She spent the entire weekend at a nerdy convention for fans of vintage board games.”
complex
“The shift in tech culture has transformed what was once a nerdy obsession with coding into a highly respected and lucrative professional path.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'seem' or 'look'. While historically an insult, it is now frequently used as a term of endearment or self-identification.
Real-World Examples
“He seriously injures another pupil, the nerdy teacher’s-pet Pauline (Nia Brown) whom Maria privately considers a bit annoying.” Etymology
From nerd + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.