nag

¹

[nag]

verb (used with object)

nagged, nagging 

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, nagging 

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

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

2. to cause pain, discomfort, distress, depression, etc. (often followed byat ).

   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. 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

Other Word Forms

• nagger noun
• naggingly adverb
• unnagged 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 theory then was that his nagging shoulder injury was partially to blame.

From Los Angeles Times

More than two and a half years after she took office, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has fulfilled a nagging campaign promise to film industry advocates.

From Los Angeles Times

He said he had been in hiding since 2014 and had returned and spoken up to silence his nagging conscience.

From BBC

"The biggest plus was not having nagging relatives telling you 'you're next in line to get married'."

From BBC

They'll leave with brilliant memories of days and nights together, of wins on the road that bonded them, of a series won, but Saturday will nag away at them forever.

From BBC

Related Words

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