English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
verb

nudge

nuhj
verb
1
To push someone or something gently, often to get their attention.
"She nudged him under the table to stop him mentioning the surprise."
"He nudged the door open with his shoulder."
noun
1
A gentle push or prompt.
"All he needed was a nudge in the right direction."

How to Use Nudge

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA light push, physically or as a gentle hint or reminder.

Common pairings
a gentle nudge nudge someone need a nudge

Word Forms

nudged past tense, nudges plural, nudges singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “nudge” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ him under the table to stop him mentioning the surprise.

Etymology

Dates from around the 17th century, likely related to Scandinavian words for "push" or "rub," such as Norwegian nugge.

Related Words

Rhymes for nudge

See all rhymes for nudge →

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial