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nag

1
[ nag ]
/ næg /
||
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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 by at): This headache has been nagging at me all day.

noun

Also nagger. a person who nags, especially habitually.
an act or instance of nagging.

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RELATED WORDS

annoy, fuss, tease, pester, scold, irritate, berate, hector, irk, torment, vex, hound, badger, urge, prod, nudge, ride, needle, dog, importune

Nearby words

  1. nafilah,
  2. nafl,
  3. nafta,
  4. naftifine hydrochloride,
  5. nafud,
  6. naga,
  7. naga hills,
  8. nagaland,
  9. nagami kumquat,
  10. nagana

Origin of nag

1
1815–25; < Old Norse nagga to rub, grumble, quarrel; akin to Middle Low German naggen to irritate. See gnaw
Related formsun·nagged, adjective

nag

2
[ nag ]
/ næg /

noun

an old, inferior, or worthless horse.
Slang. any horse, especially a racehorse.
a small riding horse or pony.

Origin of nag

2
1350–1400; 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for nag

British Dictionary definitions for nag

nag

1
/ (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 Formsnagger, nounnaggingly, adverb

Word Origin for nag

C19: of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish nagga to gnaw, irritate, German nagen

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
Word Origin and History for nag
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper