Nudge

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ÊŒdÊ’

Origin

Circa 17th century, Scandinavian.

Full definition of nudge

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. (fruit machines) The rotation by one step of a reel of the player's choice.Since the machine was showing two lemons and a cherry, I decided to try a nudge.

Verb

1. (transitive) To push against gently, especially in order to gain attention or give a signal.
• 2012-01, Steven Sloman, The Battle Between Intuition and Deliberation, Libertarian paternalism is the view that, because the way options are presented to citizens affects what they choose, society should present options in a way that “nudges” our intuitive selves to make choices that are more consistent with what our more deliberative selves would have chosen if they were in control.
2. (transitive) To near or come close to something.