Definitions

nerdy

[nur-dee] / ˈnɜr di /

ADJECTIVE

awkward

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amateurish rude stiff

WEAK

all thumbs artless blundering bulky bumbling bungling butterfingers coarse floundering gawky graceless green having two left feet having two left hands incompetent inept inexpert klutzy lumbering maladroit oafish stumbling uncoordinated uncouth unfit ungainly ungraceful unhandy unpolished unrefined unskilled unskillful

Antonyms

WEAK

adroit artful clever convenient dexterous easy elegant graceful handy skillful straightforward

ADJECTIVE

studious

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bookish contemplative diligent earnest industrious reflective thoughtful

WEAK

academic assiduous bookworm busy careful eager grubbing hard-working intellectual learned lettered meditative sedulous serious well-informed well-read

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignorant inactive lazy lethargic negligent stupid thoughtless unthoughtful

WEAK

inattentive unscholarly

ADJECTIVE

unpopular

Synonyms

WEAK

abhorred avoided creepy despised detested disesteemed disfavored disliked drip dumpy execrated gross loathed loser lousy obnoxious ostracized out out of favor rejected scorned shunned unaccepted unattractive uncared-for undesirable unloved unvalued unwanted unwelcome weird wimpy

Antonyms

WEAK

delightful desirable fashionable liked popular wanted

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Nerdy math types multiplied in this year’s lineup, though no character exactly fit the stereotypical image of a poindexter.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 12, 2025

In April, a Forsyth principal sided with a complaint, removing “The Nerdy and the Dirty” by B.T.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 19, 2023

“It was important to me to wait,” said Ms. Chapman, who also founded a consulting company, Nerdy Diva, where she focuses on diversity and inclusion in tech, design and investing.

From New York Times • Dec. 30, 2021

For more than 40 years, "Weird Al" Yankovic has been making hit songs by putting his own, spoofy twist on chart-toppers like "Eat It," "Like a Surgeon," "White & Nerdy," and "Amish Paradise."

From Salon • Sep. 6, 2021