This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
nag
1[ nag ]
/ næg /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object), nagged, nag·ging.
to annoy by persistent faultfinding, complaints, or demands.
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, nag·ging.
to find fault or complain in an irritating, wearisome, or relentless manner (often followed by at): If they start nagging at each other, I'm going home.
to cause pain, discomfort, distress, depression, etc. (often followed byat): This headache has been nagging at me all day.
noun
Also nagger. a person who nags, especially habitually.
an act or instance of nagging.
QUIZ
ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?
We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
Question 1 of 8
Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing
Origin of nag
11815–25; <Old Norse nagga to rub, grumble, quarrel; akin to Middle Low German naggen to irritate. See gnaw
OTHER WORDS FROM nag
un·nagged, adjectiveWords nearby nag
Other definitions for nag (2 of 2)
nag2
[ nag ]
/ næg /
noun
an old, inferior, or worthless horse.
Slang. any horse, especially a racehorse.
a small riding horse or pony.
Origin of nag
21350–1400; late Middle English nagge; connected with Dutch neg(ge) small horse, itself attested late and of obscure origin; said to be akin to neigh
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use nag in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for nag (1 of 2)
nag1
/ (næɡ) /
verb nags, nagging or nagged
to scold or annoy constantly
(when intr, often foll by at) to be a constant source of discomfort or worry (to)toothache nagged him all day
noun
a person, esp a woman, who nags
Derived forms of nag
nagger, nounnaggingly, adverbWord Origin for nag
C19: of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish nagga to gnaw, irritate, German nagen
British Dictionary definitions for nag (2 of 2)
nag2
/ (næɡ) /
noun
often derogatory a horse
a small riding horse
Word Origin for nag
C14: of Germanic origin; related to neigh
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