ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Nerd

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /nɜːd/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Nerd is a noun meaning (informal, sometimes derogatory) One who has an intense, obsessive interest in something.

Meaning

(informal, sometimes derogatory) One who has an intense, obsessive interest in something.

More Meanings

  1. (informal, sometimes derogatory) A member of a subculture revolving around intellectualism, technology, video games, fantasy and science fiction, comic books and assorted media. [from 1980s]
  2. (informal, sometimes derogatory, dated) One who is stupid and socially inept or unattractive; a social outcast. [from 1970s until early 1990s]
  3. (slang, sometimes derogatory) A person who is intellectual but generally introverted.

Example Sentences

a computer nerd
a comic-book nerd
The bullies used to call him a nerd at school.
"Yes, I am super nerd, and the whole room cracked up," Said Orszag.

Word Forms

Synonyms for nerd

Depending on context, synonyms include geek, dag, grind, swot, wonk.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include wonk, swot, grind, dork, dweeb, intellectual.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.