Standard Lemma guide

nail-biting

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

That causes nervous anticipation or suspense.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

(of a situation) characterized by or causing suspense

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cliff-hanging, suspenseful, suspensive

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: körömrágós — causing nervous anticipation or suspense
  • Italian: al cardiopalmo — causing nervous anticipation or suspense
  • Italian: da brivido — causing nervous anticipation or suspense
  • Italian: mozzafiato — causing nervous anticipation or suspense
  • Norwegian Bokmål: neglebitende — causing nervous anticipation or suspense
  • Polish: trzymający w napięciu — causing nervous anticipation or suspense