nail-biter

or nail bit·er

[ neyl-bahy-ter ]
/ ˈneɪlˌbaɪ tər /

noun

a person who bites his or her nails, especially habitually.
a situation marked by anxiety or tension.

Origin of nail-biter

1970–75

OTHER WORDS FROM nail-biter

nail-bit·ing, noun

Words nearby nail-biter

nail skin, nail technician, nail up, nail varnish, nail violin, nail-biter, nail-biting, nail-patella syndrome, nail-sick, nailbiter, nailbrush

Example sentences from the Web for nail-biter

  • The passage of health-care reform will suddenly shift from sure-thing to nail-biter.

    Stop the Feminist Guilt Trip |Dana Goldstein |January 15, 2010 |DAILY BEAST

  • He'd been a nail-biter when he was a kid, but he'd kicked the habit when we got to high school.

    Little Brother |Cory Doctorow