# nerve

/ˈnɝv/ (US) · /nˈɜːv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nerve
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. body part

noun · CEFR B2

a thin fiber in your body that carries messages between your brain and your muscles or skin.

For teachers: a bundle of fibers that transmits impulses of sensation or motion between the brain or spinal cord and other parts of the body.

- The doctor checked if the accident had caused any permanent nerve damage in his hand.
- The surgeon worked meticulously to avoid severing the optic nerve, which would have resulted in irreversible vision loss for the patient.

### 2. courage

noun · CEFR B2

the bravery or confidence you need to do something difficult or dangerous.

For teachers: the quality of being brave or determined in the face of danger or difficulty.

- It took a lot of nerve to stand up and speak in front of such a large crowd.
- The young pilot showed incredible nerve when he managed to land the damaged aircraft safely despite the failing engines.

### 3. rudeness

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a quality of being rude or having too much confidence in a way that annoys others.

For teachers: impudent audacity or gall; behavior that is perceived as disrespectful or overly bold.

- He had the nerve to ask for more money after doing such a poor job.
- The neighbors had the absolute nerve to complain about our music when they host loud parties every single weekend.

### 4. anxiety

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of being worried, excited, or nervous, especially before an important event.

For teachers: a state of mental agitation or apprehension, typically used in the plural form.

- She suffered from bad nerves before her final piano recital.
- The constant noise from the construction site next door was beginning to get on his nerves, making it impossible to focus on his writing.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form 'nerves'.

### 5. leaf structure

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

one of the thin lines on a leaf that carries water and food.

For teachers: a vein or rib in the framework of a leaf or an insect's wing.

- If you look closely at the leaf, you can see the tiny nerves branching out.
- The botanist examined the pattern of the nerves in the specimen to determine which subspecies of oak it belonged to.

### 6. to prepare oneself

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to make yourself feel brave or strong before doing something difficult.

For teachers: to brace or prepare oneself for a demanding or unpleasant task.

- He had to nerve himself for the difficult conversation with his boss.
- She nerved herself for the long climb ahead, knowing that the summit was still several hours away through the thickening mist.

Usage: Often used with 'oneself'.

## Examples

- The doctor checked the nerve in my damaged finger.
- It took a lot of nerve for the junior employee to challenge the CEO during the meeting.
- Damage to the optic nerve can lead to significant vision loss because the brain no longer receives the electrical signals required to process visual information.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.