nerd

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableinformal

   A person who is very keen on a technical or academic subject and is sometimes seen as awkward socially.

   Grammar: Often with the field first: a computer nerd, a history nerd.

   Patterns

   • a computer nerd
   • a nerd about something

   My brother is a total science nerd and reads about space for fun.

   She proudly calls herself a book nerd.

   The conference was full of friendly tech nerds.

2. 2nouncountabledisapproving

   A boring or socially clumsy person, used as an insult.

   Grammar: Insulting when said about someone else: don't call a classmate a nerd.

   Patterns

   • call someone a nerd

   Older kids teased him and called him a nerd.

   Nobody likes being treated as the class nerd.

   In the old film, the nerd never got invited to the dance.

Word forms

Common combinations

computer nerd

The computer nerd rebuilt the whole network in a weekend.

science nerd

As a science nerd, he loved the museum.

total nerd

I'm a total nerd about train timetables.

proud nerd

She's a proud nerd and wears her chemistry shirt everywhere.

nerd out

We nerd out about board games every Friday.

Synonyms and how they differ

geek

Geek is very close and now equally often friendly, but it can suggest enthusiasm for pop culture or gadgets more than study.

enthusiast

Enthusiast is neutral and polite, with none of the teasing tone of nerd.

bookworm

Bookworm focuses on a love of reading, rather than technical interests or social awkwardness.

dork

Dork stresses clumsiness or silliness and is more clearly mocking than nerd.

Word family

nerdy adjective

typical of a nerd, often in a good-humored way

nerdiness noun

the quality of being a nerd

nerdish adjective

like a nerd, less common than nerdy

nerdily adverb

in a nerdy way

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “nerd”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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