nark

¹

[ nahrk ]

noun

1. British Slang. a stool pigeon or informer.
2. Australian Slang. an annoying person.

verb (used without object)

1. British Slang. to act as a police informer or stool pigeon.
2. Australian Slang. to become annoyed.

nark

²

[ nahrk ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a variant of narc ( def ).

nark

/ nɑːk /

noun

1. an informer or spy, esp one working for the police ( copper's nark )
2. a person who complains irritatingly

   an old nark

3. a spoilsport

verb

1. to annoy, upset, or irritate

   he was narked by her indifference

2. intr to inform or spy, esp for the police
3. intr to complain irritatingly
4. nark at someone
   to nag someone
5. nark it
   stop it!

Word History and Origins

Origin of nark¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from Romani word nāk, nak, nok “nose”; akin to Sanskrit nāsā “nose”; the r is unexplained; nose ( def )

Origin of nark²

First recorded in 1875–80; of uncertain origin, perhaps from Romani nakh “nose,” later conflated with narc ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of nark¹

C19: probably from Romany nāk nose

Example Sentences

"It's not just me, next time it won't be me, it could be one of my colleagues who is assaulted for being a copper's nark."

From BBC

No 10 certainly hadn't planned for their ideas to get leaked, as they were to the BBC, and were mighty narked that they had.

From BBC

“The concept of ‘No 10 narks’, placed in departments to keep a close eye on ministers and civil servants, is gaining ground,” he said.

From The Guardian

Parts of the press are narked that basically she isn’t Kate Middleton.

From The Guardian

Let me be clear: I am not talking about bullies, narks, saboteurs or anyone who actively strives to make your time at work unpleasant.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• agent
• informer
• police officer
• private eye
• private investigator
• prosecutor
• reporter
• sleuth
• spy