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Definition of nerdy

nerdy

/ˈnɝː.di/
nerd · y
Adverb:nerdily
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nerdy Lexical Profile

nerdy Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Characterized by an intense, often single-minded enthusiasm for intellectual, academic, or technical pursuits, sometimes accompanied by social awkwardness or a lack of concern for mainstream fashion.

Example

"He embraced his nerdy side by joining the university's robotics club and competing in national coding tournaments."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for nerdy

Word Nuance & Usage

Once strictly pejorative, "nerdy" has largely been reclaimed in modern informal usage and is often used affectionately or proudly to describe passionate intellectual or pop-culture enthusiasm.

• Rhymes for nerdy

• Nearby Words

nerd
nerdiness
nerdish
nerdy
neretva
nerf
nerine

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 1970s by adding the suffix "-y" to "nerd," a word first recorded in Dr. Seuss's 1950 book "If I Ran the Zoo" before emerging as 1950s American youth slang.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nerdy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nerdy
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