To nudge means to give someone or something a gentle push or poke, usually with your elbow or shoulder. You might nudge your friend sitting next to you in class to get their attention, or nudge a door open with your hip when your hands are full of books.

The word also describes subtly encouraging someone to do something without forcing them. A parent might nudge their child toward trying out for the school play by mentioning how much fun it would be, rather than directly insisting. A teacher might nudge students to think harder about a problem by asking thoughtful questions instead of just giving the answer. This kind of nudging respects people's ability to make their own choices while providing a gentle push in what seems like a helpful direction.

In both physical and figurative uses, a nudge is small and gentle. It's not a shove or a demand. When you nudge someone or something, you're applying just enough pressure to get movement or attention without being forceful or aggressive. The gentleness matters: a nudge says “Hey, notice this” rather than “Do what I say.”