nark

1
[ nahrk ]
See synonyms for nark on Thesaurus.com
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.

Origin of nark

1
First recorded in 1860–65; from Romani word nāk, nak, nok “nose”; akin to Sanskrit nāsā “nose”; the r is unexplained; see origin at nose

Words Nearby nark

Other definitions for nark (2 of 2)

nark2
[ nahrk ]

noun, verbSlang.
  1. a variant of narc.

Origin of nark

2
First recorded in 1875–80; of uncertain origin, perhaps from Romani nakh “nose,” later conflated with narc

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use nark in a sentence

  • That the "nark," with his mean tricks, is a nuisance to wandering beggars is seen in a very short time.

    Beggars | W. H. (William Henry) Davies
  • All true wanderers hate him; even the drunken, domineering grinder is treated with civility in a house where beggars see a "nark."

    Beggars | W. H. (William Henry) Davies
  • Another "nark" was a drunken drover, who left a saucepan on the fire while he went out for a drink.

    Beggars | W. H. (William Henry) Davies
  • By the way, the sight of a pepper-box in a lodging-house kitchen is always a sure sign that the man behind it is a "nark."

    Beggars | W. H. (William Henry) Davies
  • Moreover, a few strokes more would interpose the strange sub chaser between her and the nark, and whoever was aboard would escape.

British Dictionary definitions for nark

nark

/ (nɑːk) slang /


noun
  1. British, Australian and NZ an informer or spy, esp one working for the police (copper's nark)

  2. British a person who complains irritatingly: an old nark

  1. Australian and NZ a spoilsport

verb
  1. British, Australian and NZ to annoy, upset, or irritate: he was narked by her indifference

  2. (intr) British, Australian and NZ to inform or spy, esp for the police

  1. (intr) British to complain irritatingly

  2. nark at someone NZ to nag someone

  3. nark it British stop it!

Origin of nark

1
C19: probably from Romany nāk nose

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012