# nervously

/ˈnɝvəsɫi/ (US) · /nˈɜːvəsli/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nervously
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

to do something in a way that shows you are worried or afraid. You might act this way before a big test or a job interview.

For teachers: in a manner characterized by apprehension, anxiety, or lack of confidence. Typically describes physical actions or speech patterns that betray internal stress.

## Examples

- He waited nervously for his exam results.
- She tapped her pen nervously against the desk while waiting for the interview to begin.
- The witness glanced nervously toward the back of the courtroom before answering the prosecutor's pointed question about the night in question.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He spoke nervous to the crowd" but "He spoke nervously to the crowd" — Learners often use the adjective 'nervous' instead of the adverb 'nervously' to describe how an action is performed.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed after the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.

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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.