nudge

Meaning

Noun

1. A gentle push.
2. (Internet) A feature of instant messaging software used to get the attention of another user, as by shaking the conversation window or playing a sound.
3. The rotation by one step of a fruit machine reel of the player's choice.
4. The use of positive reinforcement and indirect suggestions as ways to influence.

Verb

1. (transitive) To push against gently, especially in order to gain attention or give a signal.
2. (transitive) To near or come close to something.
3. (transitive) To move slightly.

Synonyms

poke

push

jog

elbow

prod

shove

thrust

jostle

jab

bump

shake

🫨

jolt

touch

poke at

knock

strike

prompt

joggle

dig

nag

rub

finger

pat

shoulder

pick at

plug

pod

pound

💷

press

press forward

propel

pushing

ram

🐏

scratch

send

shift

shoot

sideswipe

snuggle

speckled

squeeze

stab

stick

stimulus

stuff

tamp

tap

touch lightly

tweak

twitch

Translations

toestoten

anstoßen

aanstoten

cutucar

αγκωνιά

een duw geven

anstupsen

empujar

schubsen

pousser

coup de coude

stupsen

σκουντώ

Pronounced as (IPA)

/nʌd͡ʒ/

Etymology

Cognate with Norwegian: nugge

Cognate with Icelandic: nugga

Cognate with Ancient Greek: κνάω

Cognate with English: acnestis

Cognate with Scots: nodge

Cognate with Saterland Frisian: Nukke

Cognate with Middle Low German: nucke

Cognate with Middle English: nuchen

In summary

Circa 17th century, perhaps of North Germanic origin, related to Norwegian nugge, nyggje (“to push, rub, shove”), Icelandic nugga (“to rub, massage”), from the root of Proto-Germanic *hnōjaną (“to smooth, join together”), from Proto-Indo-European *kneh₂- (compare Ancient Greek κνάω (knáō, “to scratch, scrape”), source of English acnestis).
Compare also Scots nodge (“to push, poke, nudge”), knidge (“to push, squeeze”), gnidge (“to rub, press, squeeze, bruise”), and knudge (“to squeeze, press down with the knuckles”), Saterland Frisian Nukke, Nuk (“a sudden push”), Middle Low German nucke, nücke, gnücke (“a sudden push, shock, impetus”). Compare also dialectal nuch (“to tremble”), Middle English nuchen (“to tremble”).