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# nod

«nod» in Mova's school dictionary: **To move your head down and up, usually to say «yes», to…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

verb (nod, nods, nodded, nodding); noun (a nod, nods)

### meaning for a pupil

1) To move your head down and up, usually to say «yes», to agree, or to greet someone. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#m1)

2) A nod: that movement of the head. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#m2)

3) To show or point to something with a small head movement. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#m3)

4) Nod off: to fall asleep, usually without meaning to, especially sitting up. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#m4)

5) Give the nod: to give permission or approval. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#m5)

### sense in the lessons

In manners and communication lessons, nodding is body language: it shows you are listening, agreeing or saying hello without words. Nodding means «yes» in most English-speaking countries, but not everywhere — in a few cultures head movements mean different things. In stories «nodded» is a useful word instead of «said yes». Phrases: nod your head, nod off, nod at/to, a nod of the head, give the nod.

### examples

- When I asked if she wanted ice cream, she nodded. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#x1)
- Nod if you can hear me. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#x2)
- The teacher nodded to show we could start. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#x3)
- Grandpa nodded off in his chair after lunch. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#x4)
- He gave me a friendly nod in the corridor. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#x5)
- She nodded towards the door to show where the bathroom was. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#x6)
- Nodding while someone talks shows you are listening. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#x7)
- The wise woman nodded her head. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/#x8)

### note

Past: nodded (double «d»). Opposite gesture: shaking your head = «no». «Nod off» = fall asleep (informal).

### In the corpora

- [Let's just be sorry for them." Nan nods: "You're right, love."](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/48-famous-people-are-people/6/)
- [Badger «nodded gravely at intervals as the animals told their story», and did not seem surprised or shocked at anything.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/books/37-willows-ch4-part1-mr-badger/23/)
- [The Rat is starving, but he nods and says «wonderful» — he knows what his friend needs.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/books/43-willows-ch5-part3-sardines-and-carol-singers/12/)
- [He nods hard, but he is sure it means the great Chief is surrounded by enemies with spears.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/books/85-justso-first-letter-2-the-whole-tribe-comes/1/)
- [I'm sorry I hurt you.» Chloe read it and nodded.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/380-maddie-and-chloes-plaits/10/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «nod» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nod/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.