Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “nudge” come from?

nudge (English) comes from Proto-Germanic hnōjaną, from Proto-Indo-European kneh₂- — to bite, to gnaw.

nudge (English): A gentle push; A feature of instant messaging...

Definitions

  1. A gentle push; A feature of instant messaging...

Ancestry of “nudge”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Germanichnōjanąto smooth, join together
2Proto-Indo-Europeankneh₂-to bite, to gnaw

Words derived from “nudge”

  • nudging
  • nudger
  • nudgy
  • nudgingly
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kneh₂- →