nod

1 of 2

verb

ˈnäd 

nodded; nodding

intransitive verb

1

: to make a quick downward motion of the head whether deliberately (as in expressing assent or salutation) or involuntarily (as from drowsiness)

She nodded in agreement.

The guard nodded to us as we walked in.

He sat nodding by the fire.

2

: to incline or sway from the vertical as though ready to fall

signposts nodding in the wind

3

: to bend or sway the upper part gently downward or forward : bob gently

the plumes that nodded on his helmet

nodding flowers on long stems

4

: to make a slip or error in a moment of abstraction

… Fuentes nods, and his language then falls into … an overly learned mumbo-jumbo that stops the drama of his action.

—Robert Maurer

transitive verb

1

: to incline downward or forward

nodded his head in agreement

2

: to bring, invite, or send by a nod

nodded us in

3

: to signify by a nod

nodded their approval

nodder noun

nod

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or an instance of nodding

gave a nod of greeting

2

: an indication especially of approval or recognition

Synonyms

Verb

• bob
• bobble
• jog
• jounce
• pump
• seesaw
• wag

Examples of nod in a Sentence

Verb

She nodded when I asked her if she was ready.

I asked her if she could hear me, and she nodded her head.

“The bathroom is around the corner,” he said, nodding to the left.

She nodded toward the dirty dishes and said she would get to them later.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The movie has been named one of American Film Institute’s top 10 films of the year and nabbed three wins at the Cannes Film Festival after its world premiere — including a best actress nod for Gomez, along with costars Karla Sofía Gascón, Adriana Paz and Zoe Saldaña. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024

Each item in the collection features nods to the dynamic traditions of Nigerian celebrations while seamlessly merging heritage with contemporary elegance, according to a press release. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 6 Dec. 2024

Noun

Since the pair began dating last year, Swift has frequently given nods to the Chiefs' player on tour in altered lyrics to her songs and doing the archer pose, with Kelce typically being in the audience at her shows. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024

Also getting a big boost from the Globes is the body-horror shocker The Substance, which is not currently predicted to scoop up a ton of Oscar nominations, but which nabbed a shocking five nominations, including nods for its stars, Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English nodden; perhaps akin to Old High German hnotōn to shake

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nod

• get the nod
• give someone a nod
• give someone the nod
• nod off
• on the nod

Kids Definition

nod

1 of 2 verb

ˈnäd 

nodded; nodding

1

: to bend the head downward or forward (as in bowing or going to sleep or as a way of answering "yes")

2

: to move up and down

the tulips nodded in the breeze

3

: to show by a nod of the head

nod agreement

4

: to let one's attention roam for a moment and make an error

nodder noun

nod

2 of 2 noun

: the action of nodding