nag

¹

[ nag ]

verb (used with object)

, nagged, nag·ging.

1. to annoy by persistent faultfinding, complaints, or demands.

   Synonyms: vex, irritate, hector, harass, pester

2. to keep in a state of troubled awareness or anxiety, as a recurrent pain or problem:

   She had certain misgivings that nagged her.

verb (used without object)

, nagged, nag·ging.

1. to find fault or complain in an irritating, wearisome, or relentless manner (often followed by at ):

   If they start nagging at each other, I'm going home.

2. to cause pain, discomfort, distress, depression, etc. (often followed by at ):

   This headache has been nagging at me all day.

noun

1. Also . a person who nags, especially habitually.
2. an act or instance of nagging:

   His constant nagging finally got the best of me and I lost my temper.

nag

²

[ nag ]

noun

1. an old, inferior, or worthless horse.
2. Slang. any horse, especially a racehorse.
3. a small riding horse or pony.

nag

¹

/ næɡ /

verb

1. to scold or annoy constantly
2. whenintr, often foll by at to be a constant source of discomfort or worry (to)

   toothache nagged him all day

noun

1. a person, esp a woman, who nags

nag

²

/ næɡ /

noun

1. derogatory.
   a horse
2. a small riding horse

Derived Forms

• ˈnagger, noun
• ˈnaggingly, adverb

Other Words From

• un·nagged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nag¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from Old Norse nagga “to rub, grumble, quarrel”; akin to Middle Low German naggen “to irritate”; gnaw

Origin of nag²

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English nag(ge); connected with Dutch neg(ge) “small horse,” of obscure origin; said to be akin to neigh

Word History and Origins

Origin of nag¹

C19: of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish nagga to gnaw , irritate, German nagen

Origin of nag²

C14: of Germanic origin; related to neigh

Example Sentences

It is awkward for Buttler, denying him the chance to set the course before Brendon McCullum arrives as coach in the new year, but has also kicked one question continuing to nag England down the road.

From BBC

Britton says: “When you do a 5k your body is screaming at you to stop. In a 24hr your body is whispering the entire time. It’s a constant nag.”

From BBC

"Richard was incredibly keen on transplants and he used to nag me, 'what do you want to do?' and I was a bit wishy washy about it and wouldn't really answer."

From BBC

“Well, I try not to nag him,” I said, straightening my skirt.

From Literature

Senior journalist Kingshuk Nag, editor of the Times of India in Gujarat in the early 2000s, says the two were a perfect fit - Narendra Modi who thrived on public adulation was the face, Amit Shah a "private, shy person" who kept away from the limelight.

From BBC

Related Words

• annoy
• badger
• berate
• fuss
• hector
• hound
• irk
• irritate
• pester
• scold
• tease
• torment
• vex