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nudge

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verb American English pronunciation: nudge /nʌdʒ/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theynudge
he/she/itnudges
present participlenudging
past tensenudged
past participlenudged

Related dictionary definitions

  1. 1
    [transitive] to use a part of your body, especially your elbow, to give a little push to someone or something

    Sheila nudged me in the ribs, and pointed at Paul.

    Patrick nudged the door closed with his foot.

  2. 2
    [transitive] to make something move gradually or a little way in a particular direction

    The central bank can nudge rates lower if necessary.

    1. a.
      [intransitive] to move gradually in a particular direction

      The temperatures are nudging up into the eighties.

  3. 3
    [transitive] to encourage someone in a gentle way to do something

    She tries to nudge her students into reading more.

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