nested
nested — adjective
- nestedpositive
- more nestedcomparative
- most nestedsuperlative
1. describes objects of different sizes that are designed so each smaller one fits
describes objects of different sizes that are designed so each smaller one fits into the cavity of the next larger one, saving storage space when not in use.
The apartment came with a set of nested tables that could be separated when guests arrived.
attributive: nested + noun (tables)
Gita stored her spices in three nested wooden bowls that fit perfectly on the shelf.
The children's toy set included five nested blocks, each one slightly smaller than the last.
nested + noun (blocks) — size progression pattern
Camila bought a nested lunchbox set that saved plenty of space in her work bag.
Those nested measuring cups come held together by a ring in the kitchen drawer.
nested + compound noun (measuring cups)
- nested tables
- nested bowls
- nested blocks
- nested measuring cups
- nested lunchbox
- set of nested
- stackable
suggests objects placed on top of each other, not inside one another
- interlocking
suggests pieces that join together, not necessarily fitting inside one another
Grammar Patterns
nested + noun (tables/bowls/boxes/measuring cups)
Usage Note
Frequently used for furniture (nested tables), kitchenware (nested bowls, measuring cups), and toys (nested blocks). The objects are usually sold together as a matching set and are often described in product catalogues as 'nesting' or 'nested'.
Common Mistakes
2. describes a piece of code, data structure, or markup that is placed at a deeper
describes a piece of code, data structure, or markup that is placed at a deeper level inside another of the same kind — for example, a loop inside a loop, a tag inside a tag, or an object inside an object.
The compiler crashed because the programmer wrote too many nested if-statements.
nested + noun (if-statements) — computing
Jenna simplified the nested loops by moving part of the code into a separate function.
You should avoid deeply nested HTML tags because they make the page harder to maintain.
adverb + nested: deeply nested [noun]
The developer used three nested for-loops to search through the multi-dimensional array.
number + nested + noun: three nested for-loops
Hassan's code had dozens of nested parentheses, and fixing one bracket broke everything.
- nested loops
- nested functions
- nested if-statements
- nested tags
- nested brackets
- nested JSON
- deeply nested
- heavily nested
- embedded
broader; does not require the embedded and embedding elements to be of the same type
- hierarchical
describes the overall structure, not specifically one element inside another of the same type
- flat
describes data or code with no hierarchical nesting, all at the same level
- sequential
describes code that runs in a straight line without inner structures
Grammar Patterns
nested + noun (loop/function/if-statement/tag/JSON object/parentheses)
Usage Note
Extremely common in all programming languages and markup. 'Deeply nested' (more than 3 levels) is often considered poor coding practice — a warning called the 'arrow anti-pattern' because the code shape resembles arrows pointing right. Common in discussions of loops, conditionals, try-catch blocks, JSON objects, HTML elements, and CSS selectors.
Common Mistakes
3. describes groups, levels, or categories that are arranged inside each other in a
describes groups, levels, or categories that are arranged inside each other in a hierarchy, where each layer contains smaller sub-units of the same kind.
The firm's nested management structure meant every decision went through five layers.
nested + noun (management structure) — organisational
Ari organised his notes into nested categories, with sub-topics under each main heading.
The team used nested folders to keep project files organised by year and month.
nested + noun (folders) — organisational
Reuben studied the nested relationships between different species in the forest ecosystem.
The company created nested user groups where a team leader belongs to multiple teams at once.
nested + compound noun (user groups) — IT/access control
- nested categories
- nested folders
- nested groups
- nested relationships
- nested hierarchy
- nested structure
- nested levels
- hierarchical
emphasises the ranking or ordering of levels; slightly more formal than 'nested'
- layered
describes levels stacked on top of each other, not necessarily one category inside another
- flat
describes a structure with a single level and no hierarchy
Grammar Patterns
nested + noun (categories/folders/relationships/levels)
Usage Note
Used broadly across organisational charts, file systems, biological taxonomy, and databases. Unlike the computing sense, which specifically means code or data objects containing others of the same type, this sense describes any system with multiple layers of containment where each level can contain sub-levels. Not used for physical objects — that is sense 1.
Common Mistakes
nested — verb
- nestedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- nesteds3rd person singular
- nesteding-ing form
- nestededpast simple
1. when a bird or other wild animal makes a nest in a particular place and uses it
when a bird or other wild animal makes a nest in a particular place and uses it to lay eggs or raise young.
A pair of blue tits nested in the hole of the old apple tree last spring.
intransitive: nest + in [location]
Sea turtles return to the same stretch of beach where they nested years before.
The blackbirds nested under the porch roof and raised three chicks successfully.
nest + under [location]
Salma watched the swallows nesting in the barn rafters every summer of her childhood.
progressive: nesting in [location]
Rabbits sometimes nest in tall grass at the edge of the garden to hide their young.
- nest in a tree
- nest on a cliff
- nest under the eaves
- nest in the grass
- nesting season
- roost
means to settle or rest for the night, not necessarily to build a nest or raise young
Grammar Patterns
nest + prepositional phrase (in/on/under)
Usage Note
This sense describes the root verb 'nest' — the action of building or using a physical nest. Almost always used intransitively. A location phrase (in/on/under/behind) is very common but not required when the place is clear from context. The progressive form 'nesting' is frequent in nature observation contexts.
Common Mistakes
2. to place items of the same kind so that each smaller one goes into the cavity of
to place items of the same kind so that each smaller one goes into the cavity of the next larger one, or to be made in a way that allows this.
Daichi nested the smaller table beneath the larger one to free up floor space.
transitive: nest + object + preposition
These plastic storage boxes nest inside each other when they are not in use.
intransitive: nest inside each other
Gabriel nested the camping chairs one by one and slid them into the car boot.
The steel saucepans nest neatly on the kitchen shelf because the handles fold flat.
intransitive + adverb: nest neatly
Mira nested the Russian dolls carefully, starting with the largest at the bottom.
transitive: nest + object + adverb
- nest inside each other
- nest together
- nest neatly
- nest bowls
- nest tables
- nest chairs
- fit inside
more general; does not imply that the objects are a matching set
- stack
usually means placing objects on top of each other, not one inside another
Grammar Patterns
nest + object + inside/in
nest + together
nest inside each other
Usage Note
This sense describes the root verb 'nest' — the action of fitting objects together. The intransitive form ('The chairs nest together') emphasises a design feature of the objects. The transitive form ('She nested the bowls') emphasises the action of arranging them. Both are common in retail descriptions of furniture and kitchenware.
Common Mistakes
3. to place a section of code, text, or data at a deeper level inside a structure o
to place a section of code, text, or data at a deeper level inside a structure of the same type, such as a loop inside a loop or a tag inside a tag.
Shanti nested a table within a table to create a complex layout for the product page.
transitive: nest [A] within [B] — computing pattern
Eliska accidentally nested too many if-statements and could not follow her own logic.
The developer nested the JSON objects three levels deep for the API response.
nest [data] + adverbial: [number] levels deep
Gita nested the CSS rules inside a media query so they only applied on mobile screens.
nest [A] inside [B] — conditional pattern
You can nest one function call inside another to process the data more efficiently.
- nest code inside
- nest a loop within
- nest tags
- nest functions
- nest objects
- nest deeply
Grammar Patterns
nest + object + inside/in/within
nest + object
Usage Note
This sense describes the root verb 'nest' — the computing action of placing code or data inside another structure. Common in programming (nesting loops, conditionals, functions), markup languages (nesting HTML tags), and data formats (nesting JSON objects or XML elements). Deep nesting (more than 3–4 levels) is often considered poor practice.
Common Mistakes
fly the nest
idiomto leave your parents' home for the first time to live on your own, usually as a young adult.
Both of Salma's children have flown the nest and now share a flat in the city centre.
Daichi felt a mix of pride and sadness when his youngest son flew the nest last September.
feather one's nest
idiomto make yourself wealthy or comfortable, especially by using your position or power unfairly.
The manager used company funds to feather his own nest and was fired when the audit found the missing money.
Several local officials feathered their nests by awarding building contracts to friends and relatives.
leave the nest
idiomto move out of your childhood home and begin living independently.
Jenna left the nest at seventeen to study nursing at a college in another town.
High housing prices mean many young adults in Taipei cannot afford to leave the nest.
a nest egg
idioman amount of money that you have saved for future use, especially for retirement or emergencies.
Hassan built a small nest egg by putting aside part of every pay cheque for fifteen years.
Camila used her nest egg to start a small bakery after leaving her office job.
empty nest
idioma home where all the children have grown up and moved away, leaving the parents living alone.
After the last daughter moved out, Gabriel and his wife took time to adjust to their empty nest.
Empty nest syndrome describes the loneliness some parents feel once their children have all left home.
nested — noun
1. a round or cup-shaped structure made from twigs, grass, mud, or other natural ma
a round or cup-shaped structure made from twigs, grass, mud, or other natural materials, built by a bird, insect, or other animal for laying eggs and raising its young.
A sparrow built its nest in the drainpipe above Mira's bedroom window this spring.
possessive: its nest / [animal]'s nest
The children found an old wasp nest hanging from a branch behind the garden shed.
Reuben climbed the tree to look at the nest but was careful not to scare the mother bird away.
Eagles build their nests on high cliff ledges where predators cannot reach the eggs.
build + possessive + nest
Ari spotted a squirrel's nest made of leaves and twigs high in the oak tree.
compound: squirrel's nest (also called a drey)
- build a nest
- a bird's nest
- a wasp's nest
- an empty nest
- abandoned nest
- nest of twigs
- nest in a tree
Grammar Patterns
a/the nest of [animal]
[animal]'s nest
build a nest
Usage Note
This sense describes the root noun 'nest' — a physical animal shelter. A nest is built or constructed by the animal — it is not found ready-made. Different animals build very different kinds of nests: birds use twigs and grass, wasps use chewed wood pulp, termites build mounds of earth, and squirrels build leaf nests called dreys in tree branches.
Common Mistakes
2. a warm, comfortable, and safe place where someone lives or feels completely at h
a warm, comfortable, and safe place where someone lives or feels completely at home, often with a sense of cosiness and privacy.
After a long day at the hospital, Jenna was happy to return to her cosy nest by the river.
metaphorical: someone's cosy nest
The corner cafe became Shanti's nest where she graded papers and drank tea every afternoon.
Eliska turned the spare bedroom into a reading nest with cushions and a warm lamp.
compound: reading nest
The small cabin in the woods was the perfect nest for a writer who needed peace and quiet.
- a cosy nest
- a comfortable nest
- a warm nest
- one's nest
- a reading nest
- a little nest
Grammar Patterns
someone's nest
a nest of [comfort/luxury]
Usage Note
This sense describes the root noun 'nest' — used metaphorically. Always warm and affectionate. It describes a place that feels personal, safe, and often small or snug — not a large or grand home. Common in phrases like 'cosy nest', 'little nest', 'warm nest'.
3. a place where people gather secretly to do something illegal, dishonest, or harm
a place where people gather secretly to do something illegal, dishonest, or harmful, or where negative things have developed and spread.
The abandoned warehouse was a nest of thieves who had been stealing from local shops.
collocation: a nest of thieves
Journalists uncovered a nest of corruption inside the city's planning department.
collocation: a nest of corruption
The small border town had become a nest of spies working for the enemy government.
collocation: a nest of spies
Police raided the building and discovered a nest of criminals operating a gambling ring.
- a nest of thieves
- a nest of spies
- a nest of corruption
- a nest of vipers
- a nest of criminals
Grammar Patterns
a nest of [criminals/spies/corruption/vipers]
Usage Note
This sense describes the root noun 'nest' — used negatively. Almost always followed by 'of' plus a noun referring to criminals, dishonest people, or negative qualities (thieves, spies, corruption, vice, intrigue, vipers). Very common in news reports about crime and scandal. The phrase 'a nest of vipers' is a traditional expression meaning a group of treacherous people.
Common Mistakes
4. a group of similar objects made in different sizes that are designed so that eac
a group of similar objects made in different sizes that are designed so that each one fits neatly inside the next larger one, saving storage space.
A nest of three wooden tables stood in the corner of Shanti's living room.
fixed expression: a nest of [number] [objects]
Ari bought a nest of stainless steel mixing bowls as a wedding present for his sister.
Gita's grandmother gave her a nest of three ceramic dolls painted with flowers and gold trim.
pattern: a nest of [material] [objects]
The tiny apartment was furnished with a nest of small tables that unfolded when guests arrived.
- a nest of tables
- a nest of bowls
- a nest of boxes
- a nest of drawers
- nest of furniture
Grammar Patterns
a nest of [plural noun]
Usage Note
This sense describes the root noun 'nest' — as a set of objects. The phrase 'a nest of tables' is a common fixed expression in furniture catalogues and home stores. Similar terms include 'nest of drawers' for a set of small stacked drawers. The objects are usually sold together as a set.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/2
'Nest', 'stack', 'telescope', and 'embed' all describe ways of arranging objects or data, but they differ in the spatial or structural relationship involved. 'Nest' means placing one object inside another of the same type, like bowls or tables, where each smaller item fits into the cavity of the next larger one. 'Stack' means placing objects on top of one another vertically (plates, boxes, chairs) — the objects rest on each other but are not contained inside one another. 'Telescope' is a more technical term for cylindrical or tubular objects that slide into each other, like the sections of an extendable antenna or a camping cup. 'Embed' is broader and means fixing something firmly within a surrounding mass or structure, without the requirement that both are the same type of thing — for example, embedding a video in a webpage embeds media inside code, not a video inside a video. In practice, you nest bowls inside each other, stack plates on top of each other, telescope antenna sections into each other, and embed a footnote in a document.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'nested' is the adjective and past-participle form of the verb 'nest', which comes from Old English 'nest', traced back to Proto-Germanic 'nistą' and the Proto-Indo-European root 'nisdós', meaning 'a place where someone sits down'. The idea of settling in one spot gave rise to the noun (a physical structure where birds settle on eggs) and the verb uses. By the 1800s, the noun was being used for furniture sets designed to fit into each other — 'a nest of tables'. In the mid-1900s, computer programmers adopted the verb for placing code structures inside other structures of the same kind, giving rise to the adjective 'nested' in computing contexts. Today, 'nested' is most commonly used as an adjective describing objects, code, or systems that are arranged in a layered or contained structure.
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb