Word
Definition
n. a gentle push with your elbow to get someone's attention. It can also mean a small reminder or a way to encourage someone to make a choice without forcing them.
n. a light physical push, typically with the elbow, to attract attention or signal a person. In behavioral science and digital design, it refers to a subtle intervention intended to influence choice or behavior without restricting options.
Examples
“She gave him a little nudge to wake him up.”
“The app sends a daily nudge to remind users to log their water intake.”
“Policy makers often use a gentle nudge, such as making organ donation the default option, to increase participation rates without mandating the behavior through law.”
Examples
simple
“She gave him a little nudge to wake him up.”
contextual
“The app sends a daily nudge to remind users to log their water intake.”
complex
“Policy makers often use a gentle nudge, such as making organ donation the default option, to increase participation rates without mandating the behavior through law.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'give' in physical contexts or 'provide' in behavioral contexts.
Real-World Examples
“The ball dropped on the line, where Nadel nudged it in.” “To break that cycle and nudge us into action, Boyes suggests asking what is the best decision we can make.” “They weren't allowed to play music or exercise – and were nudged towards resting and sleeping instead.” “It can even play a role in the physical world, nudging people to look up from their phones and keep an eye out for their Lyft, which is about to arrive.” Etymology
Circa 17th century, perhaps of North Germanic origin, related to Norwegian nugge, nyggje (“to push, rub, shove”), Icelandic nugga (“to rub, massage”), from the root of Proto-Germanic hnōjaną (“to smooth, join together”), from Proto-Indo-European kneh₂- (compare Ancient Greek κνάω (knáō, “to scratch, scrape”), source of English acnestis). Compare also Scots nodge (“to push, poke, nudge”), knidge (“to push, squeeze”), gnidge (“to rub, press, squeeze, bruise”), and knudge (“to squeeze, press down with the knuckles”), Saterland Frisian Nukke, Nuk (“a sudden push”), Middle Low German nucke, nücke, gnücke (“a sudden push, shock, impetus”). Compare also dialectal nuch (“to tremble”), Middle English nuchen (“to tremble”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/nudge
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0