nerve

nerve is on the Basic English 850 List.

needle - nerve - net

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /nɝv/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /nɜːv/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular nerve

Plural nerves

1. (countable) A nerve is a cell in the body that sends signals. The brain is made of nerves.

   She can't feel anything with this arm, and can't move her arm, because the nerves were cut in an accident.

2. (uncountable) Nerve is confidence: a feeling of being able to do something.

   He didn't have the nerve to ask her to dance.

   You had a lot of nerve, saying that to me! Go away!

Related words

• nervous