nerd

thumb|Example of a stereotypical 'nerd' appearance - note the round glasses, braces, trousers pulled too high, and off-putting enthusiasm A nerd is a person seen as over-intellectual, obsessive, introverted, lacking social skills and socio-cultural intuition. Such a person may spend inordinate amounts of time on unpopular, little-known, or non-mainstream activities, which are generally either highly technical, abstract, or relating to niche topics such as science fiction or fantasy, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities. Additionally, many so-called nerds are described as being shy, quirky, pedantic, and unattractive.

Originally derogatory, the term "nerd" was a stereotype, but as with other pejoratives, it has been reclaimed and redefined by some as a term of pride and group identity. The term may be considered a synonym for geek.