nerd

nerd

noun \ˈnərd\

Definition of NERD

: an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially : one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits <computer nerds>

— nerd·i·ness \ˈnər-dē-nəs\ noun

— nerd·ish \ˈnər-dish\ adjective

— nerdy \-dē\ adjective

Examples of NERD

1. He dresses like a nerd.
2. <was such a nerd in college that she spent Saturday nights at the library>

Origin of NERD

perhaps from nerd, a creature in the children's book If I Ran the Zoo (1950) by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)

First Known Use: 1951

Related to NERD

Synonyms: bookworm, dink [slang], dork [slang], geek, grind, swot [British], weenie, wonk

Antonyms: anti-intellectual, lowbrow, philistine

Related Words: double-dome, egghead, highbrow, intellectual; brain, genius; academic, bookman, scholar; gearhead, techie

Near Antonyms: goldbrick, goof-off, slacker, underachiever; lowbrow

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Rhymes with NERD

bird, Bird, burred, curd, furred, gird, Heard, herd, spurred, surd, third, urd, word