Nerve
Definition
Example
"The nerve in his arm was damaged."
"She finally gathered the nerve to speak in front of the large audience, even though she had been afraid of public speaking for years."
"His constant humming really got on her nerves, especially when she was trying to concentrate on her work in a quiet room."
Explanation
A nerve is a thin bundle inside the body that carries signals between the brain and different parts of the body. Nerves help you feel sensations, move muscles, and react to the world around you. For example, when you touch something hot, your nerves send a quick message to your brain to protect you. The word can also describe courage or boldness, such as having “the nerve” to do something challenging. Sometimes it refers to an emotional feeling of being annoyed, like when someone or something “gets on your nerves” means they are making you feel irritated or uncomfortable.