Nervously means doing something in an anxious, worried, or uneasy way. When you act nervously, your body and behavior show that you're feeling uncertain or concerned about what might happen.

You might tap your pencil nervously before a big test, bounce your leg nervously while waiting to give a presentation, or laugh nervously when meeting someone new. These little movements and sounds reveal the jittery feeling inside. Someone speaking nervously might talk too fast, stumble over words, or keep adjusting their glasses or hair.

Being nervous isn't the same as being scared: you can feel nervous about something you actually want to do, like performing in the school play or trying out for a team. Your body is just preparing itself for something important or uncertain.

Everyone acts nervously sometimes. A musician might pace nervously backstage before a concert. A student might glance nervously at the clock during a timed quiz. Even confident people do things nervously when the stakes feel high or the situation matters to them.