# nervous

/ˈnɝvəs/ (US) · /nˈɜːvəs/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. worried or anxious

adjective · CEFR A2

feeling worried, afraid, or slightly anxious about something that is going to happen.

For teachers: experiencing or manifesting apprehension, anxiety, or unease, typically regarding a future event or uncertain outcome.

- I felt very nervous before my first job interview, but it went well.
- The young pianist was visibly nervous as she walked onto the stage, though her hands remained perfectly steady once the performance began.

### 2. relating to nerves

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

relating to the nerves in your body that carry messages to the brain.

For teachers: relating to the biological nerves or the system that transmits impulses through the body.

- The nervous system helps your brain communicate with the rest of your body.
- The patient suffered from a rare nervous disorder that affected his motor skills and coordination.

Usage: Commonly used in the fixed phrase 'nervous system'.

### 3. easily frightened

adjective · CEFR B1

having a personality that is easily worried or scared.

For teachers: possessing a highly excitable or easily agitated temperament.

- The horse is quite nervous, so please move slowly and keep your voice down.
- The rescue dog was initially very nervous around strangers, cowering whenever someone approached his kennel too quickly.

## Examples

- I feel nervous about my job interview tomorrow.
- She was so nervous before her first public speech that her hands started to shake.
- Even the most seasoned performers admit to feeling nervous before the curtain rises, though they often channel that restless energy into a more dynamic stage presence.

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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.