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

The 17-year old Ola lives in Poland with her nagging mother and a brother who, because of his disabilities, needs hands-on care.

From New York Times

But I had one more place to go to confirm a nagging instinct.

From Salon

The buzzing sound of UAVs has been ubiquitous in Gaza since 2006, and drones are called zenana, an Arabic word referring to the sound using the slang term for a nagging wife.

From Salon

“It’s like having a nagging wife,” Boo Boo cracked.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, there is a nagging doubt England may have a few too many boys and not enough men.

From BBC

Related Words

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