nudge

1
[ nuhj ]
See synonyms for nudge on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),nudged, nudg·ing.
  1. to push slightly or gently, especially with the elbow, to get someone's attention, prod someone into action, etc.

verb (used without object),nudged, nudg·ing.
  1. to give a nudge.

noun
  1. a slight or gentle push or jog, especially with the elbow.

Origin of nudge

1
1665–75; variant of dial. (k)nidge, akin to Old English cnucian, cnocian to knock

Other words for nudge

Other words from nudge

  • nudger, noun

Words Nearby nudge

Other definitions for nudge (2 of 2)

nudge2

or noodge, nudzh

[ nooj ]

verb (used with object),nudged, nudg·ing.
  1. to annoy with persistent complaints, criticisms, or pleas; nag: He was always nudging his son to move to a better neighborhood.

verb (used without object),nudged, nudg·ing.
  1. to nag, whine, or carp.

noun
  1. a person who nudges; pest.

Origin of nudge

2
1875–80; <Yiddish, stem of nudyen to bore <Polish nudzić;cf. nudnik

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use nudge in a sentence

  • It was beyond human nature for the detective man not to nudge Stanton once in the ribs.

    Molly Make-Believe | Eleanor Hallowell Abbott
  • Then the spectators ranged along the wall would burst out laughing, nudge each other and stamp their feet on the floor.

  • Hildreth gave me a nudge and a merry look and it pleased me to see she still had her sense of humour left.

    Tramping on Life | Harry Kemp
  • She gave her friend a nudge, and pointed in the direction of the sounds, and the two watched and listened.

  • Mrs. Roberts, without seeming to be aware of their presence, lost not a wriggle or a nudge.

    Ester Ried Yet Speaking | Isabella Alden

British Dictionary definitions for nudge

nudge

/ (nʌdʒ) /


verb(tr)
  1. to push or poke (someone) gently, esp with the elbow, to get attention; jog

  2. to push slowly or lightly: as I drove out, I just nudged the gatepost

  1. to give (someone) a gentle reminder or encouragement

noun
  1. a gentle poke or push

  2. a gentle reminder

Origin of nudge

1
C17: perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Icelandic nugga to push

Derived forms of nudge

  • nudger, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012