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)

badgers, present (3rd person singular) badgered, past participle, past badgering present participle

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

Derived Forms

• unbadgering
  adjective
• unbadgered
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has badgered
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have badgered
  perfect
• have been badgering
  perfect progressive
• has been badgering
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is badgering
  progressive 3rd person singular
• badgers
  singular 3rd person
• are badgering
  progressive
• am badgering
  progressive 1st person singular
• badgering
  participle

Past

• had badgered
  perfect
• badgered
  simple
• were badgering
  progressive plural
• had been badgering
  perfect progressive
• was badgering
  progressive singular
• badgered
  participle

Future

• will badger
  simple
• will have badgered
  perfect
• will have been badgering
  perfect progressive
• will be badgering
  progressive

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

“Open as usual but dressed for filming” read a sign in the window of the Stripey Badger Bookshop, Coffee Shop and Kitchen.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

The MacIver Institute estimated this year that the Badger State reforms have saved taxpayers $35.6 billion, about two-thirds of which has come from lower healthcare costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

I guess it is a way to mention Wisconsin’s upset of No. 23 Washington on Saturday, the first time in a long time sad Badger fans went to bed happy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025

Elliott Badger started the All Aboard to Northampton project in 2020 and in September had acquired 2,100 tickets – about 600 short of the total needed.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2024

“What about those forearms,” asked a Badger gravely, “that are held together by a chest? Come along, my dear embryo, and find your tool.”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

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