Showing Results for "nagging"

See Also:

• present participle of nag.

nagging

American  

[nag-ing] / ˈnæg ɪŋ /

adjective

1. continually faultfinding, complaining, or petulant.

   a nagging parent.

2. persistently recurring; unrelenting.

   a nagging backache.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unnagging
  adjective
• unnaggingly
  adverb
• naggingness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of nagging

First recorded in 1830–40; nag ¹ + -ing ²

Explanation

Something that's nagging really bothers you — whether it's your nagging older sister, reminding you to take out the trash, or a nagging headache that lingers all day. A nagging boss might continually complain about your work — you could also describe her as "overcritical" or "faultfinding." When a physical pain or discomfort is nagging, it's just as disagreeable, tormenting or irritating you in an ongoing way, like a nagging pain in your lower back. The source of nagging is nag, which originally meant "gnaw or bite."

Example Sentences

“Really. She hates my real mom, and by extension, me. The whole holiday ski trip, she was nagging. ‘

From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle

Related Words

• aching
• agonizing
• excruciating
• grievous
• inflamed
• severe
• terrible
• throbbing
• troublesome