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nod off

 - 3 dictionary results
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nod

  [nod] verb, nod⋅ded, nod⋅ding, noun
Use nod off in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to make a slight, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command.
2. to let the head fall slightly forward with a sudden, involuntary movement when sleepy.
3. to doze, esp. in a sitting position: The speaker was so boring that half the audience was nodding.
4. to become careless, inattentive, or listless; make an error or mistake through lack of attention.
5. (of trees, flowers, plumes, etc.) to droop, bend, or incline with a swaying motion.
–verb (used with object)
6. to bend (the head) in a short, quick downward movement, as of assent or greeting.
7. to express or signify by such a movement of the head: to nod approval; to nod agreement.
8. to summon, bring, or send by a nod of the head.
9. to cause (something) to lean or sway; incline.
–noun
10. a short, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command or because of drowsiness.
11. a brief period of sleep; nap.
12. a bending or swaying movement.
—Verb phrases
13. nod off, to fall asleep or doze, esp. in a sitting position: He was reprimanded for nodding off in class.
14. nod out, Slang. to fall asleep, esp. owing to the effects of a drug.
—Idioms
15. give the nod to, Informal. to express approval of; agree to: The board gave the nod to the new proposal.
16. on the nod,
a. British Slang. on credit.
b. Slang. drowsy following a dose of a narcotic drug.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME nodde, of uncert. orig.

Related forms:
nodder, noun
nod⋅ding⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
3. drowse.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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nod   (nŏd)   
v.   nod·ded, nod·ding, nods

v.   intr.

  1. To lower and raise the head quickly, as in agreement or acknowledgment.

  2. To let the head fall forward when sleepy.

  3. To be careless or momentarily inattentive as if sleepy; lapse: Even Homer nods.

  4. To sway, move up and down, or droop, as flowers in the wind.

v.   tr.

  1. To lower and raise (the head) quickly in agreement or acknowledgment.

  2. To express by lowering and raising the head: nod one's agreement.

  3. To summon, guide, or send by nodding the head: She nodded us into the room.

n.  

  1. A forward or up-and-down movement of the head, usually expressive of drowsiness or agreement: a nod of affirmation.

  2. An indication of approval or assent: The contestant got the nod from the judges.

Phrasal Verb(s):
nod offTo doze momentarily: nodded off during the lecture.
nod out Slang To fall asleep, especially as a result of taking a drug.

[Middle English nodden; perhaps akin to Middle High German notten.]
nod'der n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

nod off

Fall asleep momentarily, doze, as in Grandma spends a lot of time in her rocking chair, nodding off now and then. This expression alludes to the quick involuntary dropping of one's head from an upright position when drowsy or napping. The verb nod alone was so used from the mid-1500s. Also see drop off, def. 1.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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