badger

American  

[baj-er] / ˈbædʒ ər /

noun

1. any of various burrowing, carnivorous mammals of the family Mustelidae, as Taxidea taxus, of North America, and Meles meles, of Europe and Asia.

2. the fur of this mammal.

3. Australian.

   1. a wombat.

   2. bandicoot.

4. (initial capital letter) a native or inhabitant of Wisconsin the Badger State (used as a nickname).

5. a swablike device for cleaning excess mortar from the interiors of newly laid tile drains.

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verb (used with object)

1. to harass or urge persistently; pester; nag.

   I had to badger him into coming with us.

   Synonyms:

   worry, plague, bedevil, vex, bait, disturb

badger British  

/ ˈbædʒə /

noun

1. any of various stocky omnivorous musteline mammals of the subfamily Melinae , such as Meles meles ( Eurasian badger ), occurring in Europe, Asia, and North America: order Carnivora (carnivores). They are typically large burrowing animals, with strong claws and a thick coat striped black and white on the head Compare ferret badger hog badger

2. another name for ratel

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verb

1. (tr) to pester or harass

Other Word Forms

• unbadgered adjective
• unbadgering adjective

Etymology

Origin of badger

1515–25; variant of badgeard, perhaps badge + -ard, in allusion to white mark or badge on head

Explanation

Badger is to bother. Persistently. On and on. Without stop. Relentlessly. Over and over. Endlessly. It comes from the name of that chipmunk-like animal that burrows into the ground. If you badger someone, you get under their skin. A badger is an animal that digs tunnels under ground to keep warm. To badger can also mean to persuade someone through constant annoying efforts. You might badger your mom to add another hour to your curfew or badger your friend to give you a turn with a video game he has been hogging.

Example Sentences

"He deserves better than being replaced by a badger," he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

The Government last month said it will not be extending the badger cull and retains its commitment to end the practice before the next election.

From BBC • Jul. 31, 2025

As the German-speaking Pennsylvania Dutch settled in America, the tradition moved stateside with a groundhog replacing the badger.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2025

“We saw a badger and a fox the other day.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2024

“I’m not! And it’d be one thing if the badger were good company. But Captain, even though you’re incapable of sentient thought or speech, you make for better conversation than that squashed skunk.”

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

• annoy
• bully
• goad
• harass
• heckle
• hound
• pester
• tease
• torment