What does nervousness mean?
Nervousness is the condition of feeling uneasy, anxious, or apprehensive, especially before an event or in response to stress. It may involve emotional worry as well as physical reactions such as a racing heart, trembling, shallow breathing, or a shaky voice. The word is often milder than fear and can be used for ordinary, everyday anxiety, such as feeling nervous before a performance or interview, as well as for more intense distress. In expressions such as “nervous tension,” “nervous laugh,” and “nervous wreck,” it conveys both emotional unease and physical agitation. Although nervousness can suggest apprehension, it does not necessarily imply cowardice; a person may be nervous while still facing a difficult situation. The term is broadly used in formal and informal English and is closely associated with the related adjective nervous.
nounThe state of being uneasy, anxious, or apprehensive, especially in response to a threatening, stressful, or unfamiliar situation. It can also refer to the physical sensations and symptoms associated with anxiety.
- The state or feeling of being nervous, anxious, or apprehensive.
- A state of nervous excitement or agitation.
- A state characterized by physical tension, such as trembling or an increased heart rate, in response to anxiety.
"She tried to hide her nervousness as she approached the stage."
"The candidate's nervousness disappeared once the interview began."
"A background of nervous tension ran through the entire performance."
Usually uncountable; a regular plural is not standard in ordinary usage.
"The nervousness in the room was unmistakable."
Nervousness has its own familiar physical language: butterflies in the stomach, a racing heart, and a trembling voice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nervousness come from?
Nervousness is formed in English by adding the suffix -ness to the adjective nervous. Nervous ultimately derives through Latin from nervus, meaning “sinew” or “fibre,” and came to refer to bodily tension and then to anxious or excitable states. Related English words include nerve, neural, neuron, and neurology, all belonging to the same Latin and Greek word family.
Related word forms
How nervousness is actually used
Generally neutral, but it often describes a temporary state of anxiety or agitation. It can be used formally or informally and is commonly associated with situations involving stress, anticipation, or fear.
Easily confused with nervousness
Nervousness is the state of feeling anxious or apprehensive, whereas nerve is a quality of boldness or steadiness, as in 'He showed great nerve.'